Baker City, Oregon
Richard A. “Dick” Backlund, 71, of Baker City, died June 1, 2002, at St. Elizabeth Health Services.
There will be a celebration of his life from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, June 7, at the Eagles Lodge, 2935 H St.
Richard, or “Poppy,” as his grandchildren called him, was born on Feb. 26, 1931, at Everett, Wash., to Leonard and Berniece Backlund. He attended schools at Everett, Wash. He served in the U.S. Army in 1949, and was in the Korean War. He then was stationed at Fort Belvore, Va.
He worked as a mechanic at Chet Smith Garage, at the Ellingson mill and at St. Elizabeth Hospital until his retirement in 1994.
Dick enjoyed life and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his blue eyes. He also enjoyed his garden, which he shared with his wife, Donna. They were married in 1991.
Dick liked fishing, camping and carpentry work and very much loved his dog, “Sassy.”
He had been a member of the Moose Lodge, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Eagles Lodge.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leslie, William and Roland Backlund; and his parents, Leonard and Berniece Backlund.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Backlund; sons, Rick Backlund of Fort Royal, Va., and Rob Backlund and his wife, Lorrie, of Baker City, sons by his first wife; sisters, Nan Martin of Baker City, Beverly Diggins ad her husband, Don, of Wallowa, Sue Braughton and her husband, George, of Baker City and Kathy Kissire and her husband, Kerry, of Baker City; grandchildren, Robby, Randy, Kelsie and Raymond Backlund, all of Baker City and Corey Backlund, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps; two great-granddaughters, Sierra and Ashlie; stepchildren, Ken, Joe and Steve Kowing and Cindy Davis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital or donations will be accepted to help with funeral expenses through Gray’s West & Co., P.O. Box 726, Baker City, OR 97814.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 7, 2002
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor