Schlegel Urban Developments owes it's roots in urban development in southwest Kitchener to Max Becker. Max Becker and his wife Florence were the original settlers on the land that would later become the thriving commercial and residential community of Williamsburg in the City of Kitchener, Ontario.
Max, who was born in 1904, was a shrewd business man and had a successful real estate strategy. As Kitchener expanded, Max would sell his farm land to builders and move farther west. In 1953, the Becker family moved to a farm on the corner of Ottawa and Filsinger Rd (now Westmount), where he owned farmland on both sides of the road. In the early1960s, Max decided to sell lots from his land to a prominent Kitchener builder.
In 1963, the Beckers moved once again to a farm at 1187 Westmount Rd, adjacent to the Hamlet of Williamsburg and the current location of Williamsburg Town Centre. With every move, Max's landmark covered bridge weigh scale moved with them. This covered bridge weigh scale is featured prominently in the logos of Williamsburg Town Centre and Williamsburg Estates.
Max Becker died of a sudden heart attack at 82 yrs of age, while resting in his favourite chair and still wearing his work boots from his morning's work. Max leaves a cherished family legacy. The original settlers of Williamsburg would have been proud of Max. Once a small hamlet and farmlands on the outskirts of the City of Kitchener, the original area of Williamsburg continues to grow and prosper today. It reflects the indomitable and ongoing spirit of Max Becker.
Max Becker's daughter, Barbara, married Ron Schlegel in 1964. Ron is the founder and Chairman of the Board of RBJ Schlegel Holdings and Schlegel Urban. Ron and Barb's sons, Rob, Brad and James, learned the value of hard work and a job well done by working along side of their energetic Grandpa Becker on his Williamsburg Farm. As his grandchildren have said, "Our Grandpa Becker was a hard working, thrifty, down-to-earth and colourful man. By making the most of his life, he enriched all of ours."
