Milton Vaughn Backman Jr.

Milt was a dear friend to my husband and I beginning in Nauvoo in 2000 and then as neighbors through the rest of our lives. He has had a profound influence for good with his great knowledge and love for the Lord, the Gospel and Joseph Smith. He always showed great love for others and was courageous beyond words. His influence will last forever. May his spirit be with you and bring you comfort at this time of his passing. Sincerely with love, Karen Moon

Thank you Dr. Backman for inspiring my love for church history, for sharing your passionate knowledge with us in Nauvoo, and for bringing humor and love into your classes. My semester in Nauvoo was wonderful because of your dedication and determination. We love you!

Dr. Backman was my Church History professor, and while I was a young, inexperienced, unresponsive student, I can honestly say he changed my life. I still have the notes I took in his class and that experience sent me on a journey that has helped me love and appreciate Church History ever since. I have taught countless students of my own what I learned from him all those years ago. I will always be grateful for his contributions and for his willingness to share what he learned with young...

Brother Backman was a groundbreaking historian who helped make Mormon History a legitimate field of study. I only heard him teach once, but he was also a gentleman, and very kind in his manner and mode of sharing his knowledge.

Sadly I watch the lights of my youth grow dim and pass. It was delightful to have been at grandfather's home when his siblings would all descend for a visit- or come up, as Ralph lived on 12th Avenue. As that generation passed I got to know their children, my mother's cousins. And now that generation also passes, near or far. To Micky's children: please know our deep admiration and appreciation for your father, indeed you parents and our continued condolences for your losses.

Milt was a great mentor to me and my wife Karen. I loved him dearly as a colleague. I will forever be grateful to him. God bless him and his posterity forever.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Backman Family,

Our sincere condolences upon the passing of the family patriarch. He has been a wonderful contributor to the education, academic and spiritual, of many people over the years. His retirement from BYU left a hole in the network. Thank you to the family for the support of this great soul. He shall be missed.

Sincerely,
Drs. Terry and Jan Clemmer
Salt Lake City, Utah

I had the good fortune to attending a BYU travel study semester to Nauvoo with Bro. Backman. It was an amazing experience to learn at his hands in such a historically significant city such as Nauvoo and other church history sites. I was so impressed with his ready store of memorized facts, names and dates from earlier times and his ability to pull it all together into a interesting lesson. I'm grateful for he and the other teachers that left family behind and attended us, (sometimes...

Brother Backman's Church History class at BYU began a life long love in me of Church History. I thought of him and his class often last year as I taught the Doctrine & Covenants in early morning seminary. A great man!