early life and education dr. ernst becker, a mid-ranking functionary in the ss of nazi germany and chemist in the reich security main office (rsha), was born in 1900 in staufenberg, germany. he studied chemistry and physics at the university of giessen, earning his phd degree in chemistry in 1933. career and involvement with the nazi regime becker joined the nazi party in 1930 and the ss in 1931. he was assigned to the ss-regiment 'germania' at bad arolsen, a small resort town near kassel, in central germany. his role involved providing important technical support for the development of gas c…