In Memoriam: Roger Beckner, 70
Served Chase in Asia, UK and New York for more than 30 years
The CAA mourns the unexpected passing of its long-time member Roger Beckner, 70, on October 2, 2014.
A resident of Pawley's Island, SC, he had previously lived in Hawthorne and Fort Lee, NJ.
Beckner retired as a Vice President from Chase Manhattan Bank, for which he worked in credit policy and audit/risk management from 1965 to 1995, in Taipei, Hong Kong, London and New York.
Before retiring in 2008, he was a certified financial planner for Waddell and Reed of Shawnee Mission, KS for over 10 years.
He grew up in northern New Jersey and was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck. A member of the Hawthorne (NJ) Chamber of Commerce for 10 years, Beckner enjoyed golf, tennis and skiing. He surprised friends and family by passing his broker's license test the first time around at the age of 52. He will be remembered for his devotion and loyalty, generosity, and his diabolical sense of humor and love of playing pranks on friends and family.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Maureen Butler Beckner, two daughters and four grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger's memory can be made to the Hawthorne Volunteer Ambulance Corps, 970 Goffle Road, Hawthorne, NJ 07506.
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Anyone wishing to share a remembrance should send it to news@chasealum.org.
From Juan Carlos del Rosario: Roger was a tireless banker and gentleman, a good husband, father, grandfather and a good friend to me and many other colleagues at Chase. He died of cardiac arrest barely 17 days after his 70th birthday.
Roger was only 20 years of age when he joined Chase Manhattan Bank in 1964. He worked under challenging and difficult circumstances, being a night student, to finance his college degree.
From this humble beginning, this self-made professional rose to the ranks of Regional Credit Head responsible for Asia Pacific based in Hong Kong, and subsequently as Credit Head for Europe and Scandinavia, based in London. Both postings were in the 1980s. He was also assigned to Chase Taipei in Corporate Banking in the 1970s. He was based at Chase New York for the majority of his career.
When Roger turned 50, in 1994, he was in Credit Audit at Chase New York Head Office, which was his last position before he opted for early retirement. Roger had a full and rewarding career in his 30 years at Chase.
Please join me in saying a prayer for Roger and for his eternal repose. He will be remembered always.
From Eshagh Shaoul: I had the honor of working for Roger Beckner in Hong Kong in my first overseas posting during 1978-80, assisting him in managing Credit Risk in Asia. Roger epitomized the careful credit man, painstakingly going over all the details of every proposal that came to us for credit approval. He was a wonderful and kind manager who was dedicated to the Chase traditions and culture. He was a disciple of John Philpot, the ultimate credit guru, and upheld the high standards of his mentor.
My heartfelt condolences to Maureen and the family.
From Charles Kovacs: Roger and I were colleagues in the credit field for years in the 1980s in London and New York. We worked in different areas but often lunched together and in both cities. In the process we got to know each other and became friends. Roger was of course not only a completely professional banker, but a man of integrity with outstanding qualities and values. We corresponded over the decades since I left Chase (1991) and I shall miss him.
From Anne-Marie Barcia: I was so sorry to read of Roger’s death. I had the pleasure of knowing Roger in Hong Kong in the late 1970s. Subsequently I worked with him in London when I was a young officer in the Corporate Banking Group. I was new to London and felt inimidated by everyone! Whereas other credit officers seemed to like to play “the tough guy”, Roger was always so professional, very approachable and generous with his time. I liked Roger and had enormous respect for him. My deepest condolences to his family.
From Gary Glick: So sorry to hear of Roger's passing. I worked for Roger from 1977 to 1979 in London and Hong Kong as a young credit officer. He was calm, patient and considerate but also had a real sense of humor. My favorite was when he inserted a couple of pages of neatly typed gibberish into one of the monstrous 60+ page global one obliger annual reviews approval requests typical of the time. No one caught it, of course.
From Dick Corrigan: Sad News. Great guy, steady as a rock. He will be missed.