Charles H. Backstrom

Backstrom, Charles H. age 81, died September 4, 2008. He was a professor of political science at the University of Minnesota for more than 35 years and an election polling pioneer. Charles was born on October 5, 1926 in Valley City, ND. He graduated from Crookston High School in Minnesota in 1944. On graduation night, at the age of 17, he began his service in the Army. Charles served as a prison officer in Germany during the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials and continued his service as an active reservist for another 10 years. After the war, Charles returned to college, graduating from Moorhead State in 1949 and earning his MA in 1953 and PhD in 1956 from the University of Wisconsin Madison. Charles first taught political science at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI, then in 1959, after a Congressional Fellowship in Washington D.C., he began teaching political science at the University of Minnesota. In addition to his teaching duties, Charles ran the department's legislative internship program for more than 25 years. He authored five books, including the ground breaking Survey Research, and numerous papers. Charles was a recognized expert on polling, survey research, reapportionment, and the politics of AIDS. He served on more than two dozen service committees at the U of M, as well as participating in numerous off-campus leadership activities. Charles was a longtime member of Prospect Park United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir for 37 years. Charles was also a member of the Bedford Street Regulars and the Hemenway Forum. For many years, Charles and his wife Barbara opened their home to families of children receiving treatment at the U of M hospitals. Charles was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Helen Backstrom, and brother, Gene. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Barbara; children, Paul Backstrom and Jennifer Davies, Anne and David Brown, Brian and Nancy Backstrom, and Claudia and Jamie Hornibrook; grandchildren, Ian Davies Backstrom, Melissa and Emily Brown, Erik and Rachel Backstrom, and Alaina and Kenna Hornibrook; sisters Faye, Kelly, Rita and Sharon, and brother, Don. Charles and his family would like to express special thanks to the staff at Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills and Hospice of the Lakes for their loving care and support. A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at 1:00 pm at Prospect Park United Methodist Church, 22 Orlin Ave. SE, Mpls., MN 55414 (612) 378-2380. Memorials may be made to the church (www.ProspectParkChurch.org) or to the Charles H. Backstrom Scholarship in Political Science (www.charlesbackstrom.com/scholarship.html).
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.