Today, the Quad Cities community is remembering a prominent business leader, who died last week. Hans Becherer was the chairman and CEO of Deere and Company in the 1990s, and helped Moline redevelop its downtown.
Becherer was first hired by Deere in 1962, and was elected chairman and CEO in 1990. Before his retirement in 2000, Becherer helped Deere create its relationship with the Professional Golfer's Association. And during his leadership, Moline opened the John Deere Pavilion downtown.
Becherer was also "instrumental" in the growth of Rivermont Collegiate, the private school in Bettendorf. Rivermont Director of Development, Drew Boster, says Becherer served as chairman of the Board of Trustees during the 90s.
Boster says both of his children attended the school, and Becherer laid the foundation for what Rivermont is today. Rivermont named Becherer Hall in his honor in 2001.
Becherer died last week in Colorado, at the age of 81.