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Daniel W. Becker ’69

Daniel Becker ’69, May 11, 2000, in Portland, of complications from diabetes. He was a tenor in the chorus of the San Francisco Opera for nearly 25 years and was also an accomplished actor and instrumentalist. During and following his attendance at Reed, he performed in theatre events both on and off campus, including roles in The Lion in Winter and Jaques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris with the Portland Civic Theatre. He later joined a Young Audiences group in Portland, presenting musical programs to elementary school students on a weekly basis. In 1975, he moved to San Francisco and joined the San Francisco Opera, where he sang tenor and was an occasional comprimario soloist. His career with the opera led him to be featured in the documentary film In the Shadow of the Stars, which focused on the dedication and perseverance of opera chorus members. The film won an Academy Award in 1992. Despite advancing complications from diabetes, he continued to sing with the opera until five months before his death, when he moved back to Portland for dialysis treatments. He is remembered by his friends for his loyalty, his wit, his sarcasm, and his passion for art and music. Survivors include his father and stepmother, and a sister.

Appeared in Reed magazine: August 2000

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