Ronald “Ron” Becht – loving husband and father – passed away peacefully on Monday, June 9, 2025, in Athens, GA. He was 82.

Born August 29, 1942, in Chicago, IL to Albert and Frances (Schmidt) Becht, Ron spent his early summers working the family farm in Watervliet, MI alongside his cousins. After graduating from St. Rita Catholic High School, Ron, together with his cousin Fred, joined the U.S. Army. While stationed in El Paso, TX as an X-ray technician, he met his future wife, Sue Bennett, who was working as a civilian at the army hospital. They were married in 1965 and began a sixty-year voyage together. 

Ron and Sue moved back to Watervliet, where they bought their first home and had their daughter Karen Jeannette. Ron worked full-time while earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Western Michigan University.  He joined the public accounting firm Ernst & Ernst in their Charlotte, NC office, then moved to a coal brokerage firm to handle their accounting and finance needs, before eventually establishing a coal brokerage firm of his own. Lake Wylie, SC became home in the late 1970s, where Ron enjoyed life in River Hills, playing golf and poker with friends and sharing his one-liners.  Though a man of few words, each one was intentional, usually dry, and often left the group laughing.

Outside of reading and studying war history, travelling the world was Ron’s favorite. He visited more than 20 countries, often accompanying Sue on her work trips. Two trips he remembered fondly were cheering on Team USA in Sydney for the 2000 Olympics and spending a week in Belgium with the family, enjoying the charm of Bruge and visiting historic world war sites. Ron’s greatest love was his family. He never tired of watching Karen establish a home of her own and he often checked in on how his grandchildren Bennett, Christopher, and Carson, were applying “the most important rule – compound interest” in their lives. Most recently, he found joy in spending time with his great-granddaughter Mae, whose expressive face would spark a smile on his usual poker face.

Ron was preceded in death by his parents and by his son-in-law, Jerome “Jerry” Travers. He is survived by his beloved wife Sue Bennett Becht; daughter Karen Becht Travers; grandchildren Bennett Camarda (Bill), Christopher Travers, and Carson Gasaway (Williamson); great-granddaughter Mae Gasaway; brother Robert Becht (Sandy); and nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and former colleagues who will forever miss him.

A celebration of Ron’s life will be held at the River Hills Country Club from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m on Thursday, July 24th.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the River Hills Dog Park, or a charity of your choice. 

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Mr. Becht.  

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.