Richard Backus

On January 19, 2014, Richard Backus, 85, passed away. Beloved husband for 64 years of Frances M. Backus (Hayden). Loving father of Richard G. (Debra), Christine A. Kuczinski (Daniel), Catherine M. Medford (Daniel), and Kenneth E. Backus. One of nine brothers and sisters; survived by sisters, Beula Strunk, Margie Williams and sister-in-law, Evelyn Backus. Cherished grandfather of Ryan (deceased), Joshua, Jacqueline and Bradley. Great-grandfather of Hailie and Sophie. Nieces and nephews; Jerry, Jeanne (deceased), Charles, Rebecca, David, Gary, Shirley, Alyce, Richard A., Jeannetta, Marena, Daniel, Linda and Sharron.

Richard was born on July 11, 1928 in Santa Ana Orange County, California and grew up in Anaheim, when the land was covered in orange groves - before Disneyland. He and his cousin, Earl Dierberger, rode bicycles from beach to beach and spent many hours working on early-model jalopies. After high school, Richard joined the Navy, as a Seaman. His first assignment was Washington, D.C., where he met his future wife, Fran, and made his permanent home on the East Coast. In 1960, he received a Commission as Ensign, achieved the final rank of Lieutenant, and retired after a total of 23 years of service. He had overseas assignments in Japan, French Morocco and Turkey. After retirement from the Navy, he worked 14 years with the National Security Agency and retired in 1984. During this time, he served as Quartermaster for four years with VFW Post 160, in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Richard was an accomplished, methodical woodworker. A major accomplishment, after retirement, was building the addition of a wide deck on the back of his home, which ran the entire length of the house. This deck served well for family gatherings, especially a yearly crab feast. When making specialty items, he set up an assembly line, so that family and friends all received the same items as gifts. He enjoyed making models until the final one, of a clipper ship, was put on a shelf unfinished. Never one to admit defeat, he still intended to finish it in the future.

In August, 2012, Richard and Fran moved to the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, MD. In November, 2013, he joined VFW Post 219 at Charlestown and was made Adjutant, a title he held for only three months before he died.

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