Farm Journal, American Royal Mourn Loss of Cliff Becker 1961 – 2023

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 17:04:25 GMT

Cliff Becker, Vice President of New Campus Development for the American Royal, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30th while visiting family in California.

A 1984 graduate of Western Illinois University, Cliff was a fourth-generation agriculturalist that always put his passion for food and food production into supporting his clients’ needs for over 39 years. Cliff’s prior experience included serving as the Executive Vice President at Farm Journal for over 10 years and a 23-year career with Vance Publishing Corporation, where he served as the Senior Vice-President and Publishing Director for their food360 Division. Cliff also served on many boards of several diverse food and agriculture organizations.

Cliff had been recognized with several awards including the National Agri-Marketing Association’s Career Achievement Award and the Livestock Publication Council’s Distinguished Service Award. Along with these accomplishments, Cliff was a nationally recognized speaker on food and agriculture related issues.

Since joining the American Royal team, Cliff expressed his excitement for the future of the new American Royal campus and its impact to the agricultural and food community and the nation. Cliff has been instrumental in the success of the organization and always jumped in to help with all events. He was a dedicated member of the team and was passionate about the mission of the American Royal. Cliff Becker will be deeply missed by all.

He is survived by his wife Kristine and two children. A complete obituary will be published at a later date.

Finding Meaning in Passionate Work

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 12:41:57 GMT

When someone passes away, it naturally serves as a reminder that tomorrow is not guaranteed and nobody knows when the good Lord will call us home. Recently, I learned of the sudden passing of one of my colleagues, Greg Henderson, who was the editorial director for our beef brand, Drovers. My heart sank upon hearing the news, and I was struck by a profound sense of loss.

A Heartfelt Farewell
Greg was on the verge of retirement, and it broke my heart to think that he didn’t get to enjoy those years of peace and relaxation. The sorrow I felt when my father passed away in 2016 came flooding back. My father had suffered a massive stroke in 2008 and spent nearly five weeks in the ICU years before his passing and Greg’s passing brought back all those painful memories.

Lessons Learned
Years before my father’s stroke, I remember having a conversation with him about not taking time off. He was incredibly proud of the fact that he milked cows every day, twice a day for decades. “I’m sure I hold some kind of record,” he once told me with a sense of pride. As my dad lay in the ICU after his stroke, I recalled that ‘record’ and felt an overwhelming urge to shake him and tell him, “Nobody cared about your record.” But, through tears and with time, I came to understand that the record meant a lot to him.

My father grew up incredibly poor – beyond my comprehension – and was determined to build a better life for his own family. He was devoted to providing the financial and emotional support that his own family had failed to provide for him. So, dad poured himself into his work of being a dairy farmer and he was so proud of the farm and family he built.

The Heart of a Rancher
Greg’s journey in the beef industry was more than just a career; it was his life’s purpose. Much like my late father, who loved his work, Greg was deeply committed to the ranchers he served. He always had their back. His connection to the beef audience wasn’t just professional; it was personal. Greg understood the challenges, joys, and intricacies of ranch life because he was one of them. This allowed him to create content that was not only informative but also resonated with the heart and soul of the rancher community.

As I reflect on Greg’s life and work, I am reminded of my late father and the common thread that binds passionate individuals like them. They both missed out on what many might call the ‘easy years,’ but they gained something much more valuable in return—the joy and fulfillment of doing work they loved.

Obituary

Farm Journal, American Royal Mourn Loss of Cliff Becker 1961 – 2023

Finding Meaning in Passionate Work