Born in Detroit, Michigan, he received his undergraduate education at Trinity College (Connecticut), where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall, and his MBA from Harvard. 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. In 1990, Becherer also became chairman of John Deere's board when Robert Hanson retired.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, he received his undergraduate education at Trinity College (Connecticut), where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall, and his MBA from Harvard. He rose to become president of John Deere in 1987 and headed the company as CEO from 1989 to 2000 following the economic downturn in agriculture during the 1980s. In 1990, Becherer also took on the position of chairman for John Deere's board when Robert Hanson left.