He died at age 22 fighting in World War I. Fred Becker graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1914.

[6][7] Becker's story was forgotten for decades until Mike Chapman, author and historian from Waterloo, began doing research in 2008.

[8] Since no living relatives could be found, Chapman was invited to accept the honor on behalf of Fred Becker, at halftime of the Iowa-Northern Iowa football game on Sept. 5, 2009.

Several months later, East Waterloo High School inducted Becker into its athletic hall of fame, with Chapman once again accepting on his behalf.

Fred Becker appeared on the cover of the October 2009 issue of the Iowa History Journal,[9] which carried a long story.

[10] He is also featured in the 2010 book entitled Triumph and Tragedy: The Inspiring Stories of Football Legends Fred Becker, Jack Trice, Nile Kinnick and Johnny Bright.