Description:
Ronald Becker, born in New York City in 1950, was raised in Vineland, New Jersey. Becker was the son of Holocaust survivors. His father, Berel Becker, endured unimaginable trauma as a member of the Sonderkommando at Auschwitz, while his mother, Frieda, immigrated to the U.S. before World War II. Their experiences shaped Becker’s upbringing in a tight-knit, Yiddish-speaking community of post-war Jewish poultry farmers.
Becker’s early life on a chicken farm instilled in him a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for community. Despite the physical demands of farm life, his parents emphasized education as a path to a better future. Becker excelled academically and attended Duke University, where he majored in history during the turbulent 1960s. He was politically active, participating in Civil Rights and antiwar efforts, and was deeply influenced by the social movements of the era.
After graduating, Becker returned to New Jersey and pursued graduate studies at Rutgers University, earning a master’s in history and a Master of Library Science. His passion for social history and archival work led him to Rutgers’ Special Collections, where he began a lifelong career. Starting as a student worker, he eventually became Head of Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.
Throughout his tenure, Becker transformed Rutgers’ archival holdings into one of the nation’s premier regional history collections. He was instrumental in acquiring and processing major collections, including the papers of Senator Harrison Williams, the Roebling family, and the International Union of Electrical Workers.
Becker also played a key role in New Jersey’s historical preservation efforts, lobbying for state support and serving on numerous commissions, including chairing the Middlesex County Cultural & Heritage Commission. He was deeply involved in professional archival organizations, notably the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conference (MARAC), which he helped found and later chaired.
In retirement, Becker remains active in community service in Florida, serving as a spiritual leader for his synagogue and chairing local library boards.
The Rutgers Oral History Archives received an operating support grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the Department of State. In the 2024-2025 cycle, this grant assisted the ROHA staff in making this oral history available to you for your use.