Mr. Becht's Artwork

Mr. Becht was a very wonderful part of the Escola Americana for many, many years. Those fortunate enough to attend EA when he taught physical education there were exposed to an extremely interesting and caring man. Before leaving Rio in 1965, my mother showed me ink drawings created by Mr. Becht of various locations around Rio. Recently, Gabor Becht, son of Mr. Becht, sent us the very same drawings for publication here. Enjoy. Thank you, Gabor. We all loved your father.

Mr. Becht did the drawings on these pages in the year(s) previous to his passing because he loved drawing and also to raise money for his family. It was tough to get by on a teacher's salary alone. He acquired his skill many years ago in the Hungarian Army as part of terrain sketching and reconnaissance as part of his officer's training, but he DID truly have the natural gift as well.

American Embassy - Rio - 1965

His leadership skills became clear early in the '30s as he finished the Military Academy. He specialized in phyical conditioning of troops under extreme conditions and in the winter. He was a skillful alpinist and skier. He further polished his skills in the sports areas so common to officer corps in Europe in those days: fencing and gymnastics. His success earned him a position to head up the Hungarian youth delegation to the Berlin Olympic Games in 1936. His linguistic skills also earned him favor (at one time he was familiar with at least 10 languages).

After the Second World War, despite Hungary's tremendous losses and the fact that he had represented a losing side, Major Becht, as he became known in many circles, gained the respect of American officers and the American and British diplomatic corps in Turkey with his enthusiastic approach to physical education and ski instruction to all that were interested. It was this skill and God given talent that led him to become the very first Phys Ed teacher and Athletics Director for EA until the day of his death in 1965.

More Mr. Becht Artwork