Paul Becht
Born on December 9, 1941 in Detroit, Michigan.Passed February 7, 2025 in Apopka, Florida
Paul Becht – A Life Remembered
On Friday, February 7, 2025, Paul Becht passed peacefully at his home at the age of 83.
His family remembers him as a kind, loving, sincere and wonderful husband, father and teacher. He always encouraged and inspired others to do their best. He was someone you could always trust, who did his best to share his time, talent and resources with others. This was clearly seen in his 53 years of mentoring students across the great state of Florida and inspiring them in the fields of science, engineering, aviation, physics and chemistry.
Born Paul Anthony Becht, December 9, 1941, to Aloysius Hilary Becht and Frances Cecilia Hoerter. He graduated from Trinity High School in Louisville, KY in June 1959 with a scholarship to the University of Louisville. In high school was president of the rocket club and assistant scout leader of the Eagle Scouts. He was an amateur radio operator, SCUBA diver, and a private pilot.
While working on his BA at University of Louisville, he worked as an assistant electronic engineer at Wright Patterson AFB (he had stories about listening to John Glenn orbit the earth), and an assistant histopathologist and St Joseph’s Infirmary. For three years after graduating, he served in the Peace Corp teaching science and engineering at St Elizabeth Technical School in Jamaica.
In June 1964, he graduated from the University of Florida majoring in Chemistry with minors in engineering, physics, and mathematics. In 1968, Paul received an MEd from the University of Florida majoring in science education with a minor in physics.
He worked as an electronics tech, teaching assistant, and research assistant before starting as an assistant science instructor at PK Yonge Developmental Research School. As a full-time instructor, he taught physics, chemistry, computer science, and earth science at PK Yonge and at the University of Florida Dept of Education School of Teaching and Learning. Until his retirement in 1999, he sponsored students at the regional and state science and engineering fairs, the Florida Science Engineering and Humanities Symposium, amateur radio and rocket clubs.
Retirement did not slow him down. After retiring from the University of Florida, he moved to central Florida and taught at Bishop Moore Catholic School and Seminole High School before his final retirement in 2021. During his time at Seminole High, he renewed his passion for aeronautics by sponsoring students in the Gaetz Aerospace dual enrollment program with Embry Riddle University as an adjunct professor.
Throughout his career he served on the board of directors for the Bingham Environmental Education Foundation and the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists as well as serving as a judge for the Regional and State Science and Engineering Fairs.
His daughter Laura remembers him most as “Her Dad.” She reminds us that “He always had a story to tell about his adventures. The ones I remember the most surround him listening to John Glenn orbiting the Earth and his time in Jamaica teaching while serving in the Peace Corp. He was always in motion. For 53 years, he made sure that his students got the best that he could teach them. He spent his time focused on providing for his family by helping others and inspiring the next generation of teachers and scientists. My Dad had the best smile, and I will miss it.”
His wife Sara-Maria remembers trips to visit family in Melbourne and Clearwater, noting that Paul was a kind, loving, sincere, wonderful husband, father, and teacher. He encouraged and inspired others to do their best. He mentored his students in the fields of science, engineering, aviation, physics, and chemistry. He was someone you could always trust, who did his best to share his time, talent, and resources with others. When she thinks of him she sees his blue eyes, blond hair, and big smile.
Paul is survived by his wife of 56 years Sara-Maria Frances Becht and his daughter Laura Christina Becht. His son Sean Vincent Michael preceded him in death on March 9, 2002.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 1 PM, St. Joseph Catholic Church, 5330 Babcock Street NE, Palm Bay FL 32905. Viewing and Internment Private. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations in Paul’s Memory are made to the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists/State Science and Engineering Fair – sseflorida.com [contact: [email protected]].
