John O. Becker

John O. Becker, PhD died peacefully at an assisted living facility in Silver Spring, MD on September 1, 2024, surrounded by loved ones, following several complications due to Parkinson’s Disease and Louie Bodies Dementia. He was born in Wheeling, WV on February 25, 1944.

He leaves behind his loving companion of 21 years, Isa, his two cherished sons, Karl and Justin, grandson Julian, brother Joe and numerous other family members.

John had several passions in life, perhaps the most compelling one in the field of psychology.  This guided him on a long career as a psychotherapist, mostly as a couple’s therapist, where he helped countless broken couples glue the pieces back together and rebuild their lives. He led many intensive workshops for both couples and singles. As a psychology professional, he served as the first Executive Director of the Northern Panhandle Health Center in WV, and he taught both at the Johns Hopkins and Catholic Universities.

John was an intensely spiritual person and, for many years, was on the faculty of the Shalem Institute of Contemplative Spirituality.

He was equally dedicated to physical fitness. In his younger years, he was an avid basketball player.  Later he became a true workout fanatic, easily spending 2 to 3 hours daily in the gym. Still later in life, he discovered a passion for ballroom dancing which he pursued until his declining health no longer allowed it.

John was intensely aware of others’ feelings and vulnerabilities and worked hard to ensure that he was thoughtful and considerate in all his interactions, both with friends and with people he hardly knew. He loved his family deeply and there was nothing he would not have done for them. He will be profoundly missed