Marshall Joseph Becker, age 86, of West Chester, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, after a protracted illness.
Marshall completed his undergraduate degree in Anthropology, with minors in Geology and English at the University of Pennsylvania, where he had distinction as a Benjamin Franklin Scholar. His academic acumen led to his induction into the Phi Beta Kappa Society with honors in Anthropology. Continuing at the University of Pennsylvania, he completed his M.A. with his thesis entitled: “Small structure excavations at Tikal Guatemala”. He was privileged to be in the first groups of students to conduct field studies at Tikal, one of the most prominent sites of the Classic Maya civilization. Upon completion of his thesis, Marshall was an Instructor in Anthropology at the University of Toledo, Ohio. After completing his doctoral dissertation, he became Professor of Anthropology at West Chester State University.
The consummate scholar, Marshall’s pursuits ranged from archaeology and ethnology of Mesoamerica to biological anthropology in eastern North America and reaching abroad as far as Italy and the Eastern Mediterranean as well as Tikal and Quirigua in Guatemala and Copan, Honduras to conduct research there.
In Europe in pursuit of his other research interests; from Crete to Prague, and London to multiple sites in Italy including Cremona and Rome. He was honored as a “Visiting Fellow at the University of Cambridge” and “Honorary Research Fellow” at the University College of the University of London.
At home, he focused on colonial archaeology with research of the “Delaware Peoples” such as the “Lenape” and “Munsee” and developed a focus on wampum. He collaborated with Jonathan Lainey to produce the book “The White Dog Sacrifice” which describes the use of wampum in an Iroquoian ceremonial sacrifice ritual. Another published book, in collaboration with Philip P Betancourt, was “Richard Berry Seager – Pioneer Archaeologist and Proper Gentleman”. He assembled more than 500 publications that he authored and others that he reviewed or edited and continued to stay active while battling his illness.
Marshall had the distinction of being an exacting professor who expected his students to apply themselves to the best of their ability. For those who endured his rigorous teaching, they found a knowledgeable and caring teacher who guided them skillfully through the studies of anthropology and archaeology. He ensured that his students had exposure to studies beyond the campus and engaged them at lectures, professional meetings and local archaeological projects. He was also instrumental in organizing the Anthropology and Linguistics academic clubs on the WCU campus. He was a mentor to many students who sought his guidance
and support and continued that support throughout their personal and professional lives. He was quoted as saying: “We may be better known by our publications, but our students are our true legacy.”
Contributions can be made in his memory to either of Marshall’s most significant charities: Macular Degeneration Research or American Cancer Society with emphasis on bone cancer research.
SPA members will be familiar with his many articles published in the Pennsylvania Archaeologist and his long time participation in
the Pennsylvania Archaeology Circle.
The preceding text has been graciously provided by the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology.
