Hans Walter Becherer (April 19, 1935 – October 6, 2016) was an American business executive. Born in Detroit, Michigan,[1] he received his undergraduate education at Trinity College (Connecticut), where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall, and his MBA from Harvard.[2] He became president of John Deere in 1987 and led the Company as CEO from 1989 to 2000 following the financial farm crisis of the 1980s.[3] In 1990, Becherer also became chairman of John Deere's board when Robert Hanson retired. Under Becherer's tenure the company became a diversified, global competitor. By 1998 around 25% of Deere & Company sales revenues came from outside the United States and almost 50% of its product mix was non-agricultural. Robert W. Lane was elected to replace Becherer as CEO upon his retirement in 2000.
Becherer was inducted into the Junior Achievement U.S. Business Hall of Fame in 2004.[4] He died in Colorado on October 6, 2016, at the age of 81.[5][6] At the time of his death, he lived in Denver, Colorado.[citation needed]
