Arthur Becht

On November 21, 2011, ARTHUR BECHT passed on at the age of ninety-one. In February 1942, the advent of World War II saw him drafted into the United States Army. He was twenty-two. A member of the 45th Battalion, 180th Division, he was sent to Northern Africa. From there he was part of the invasion of Sicily, where he was wounded. He spent eighteen months in hospitals in Italy and then Casablanca. On the way to Africa his hospital plane went down in the desert. Three days later they were rescued. More months passed before he boarded a ship to the States, arriving at Ashford General Hospital, West Virginia, there to spend further time healing his shrapnel-torn legs. Arthur came out of the war one-hundred-percent disabled, the bronze star and two purple hearts among his ribbons. For sixteen years he worked as an engineer at Brookhaven National Laboratory, the atomic plant on Long Island, New York. In spite of his disability, he had contined to work, to raise a family, to care for them, working until his two children finished college and were on their own. At fifty-one he retired--he was tired--his old wounds cried for rest. It was time for an easier life. Living in Florida's sunshine was good. His wish had always been to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. In the Spring of 2012 we will be bringing his ashes to Arlington. He is survived by his wife of sixty-nine years, Zelda, and his son Brian, sixty-six. His daughter Susan Roland, is deceased. He had a quiet dignity, this beautiful, many-talented person. He was much loved. To his children he was a god. He will be greatly missed. To sign the virtual guestbook please click on the sign guestbook button. To share a memory/story please click on the Life Stories button. To upload a picture please click on the photo gallery button. Savino Weissman Funeral Home & Cremation Services is entrusted with funeral arrangements. We are located directly across the street from Northwest Medical Center on 441 south of Sample Road, 2950 North State Road 7 Margate, Fl 33063, 954.977.5244, www.savinofuneralhome.com, www.weissmanfuneralhome.com.

Arthur Becht

April 13, 1920 - November 21, 2011