Ivan A. Backer

1929 - 2023

Ivan Backer, community leader and activist, died on July 1, 2023, at age 94.

Ivan was born in 1929 in Prague, Czechoslovakia. He escaped the Nazi Holocaust at ten years old on a Kindertransport rescue train organized by British humanitarian Nicholas Winton. Ivan lived in England until 1944 when he immigrated to the U.S. with his immediate family. He earned a BA in History from Moravian College, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Bachelors and Masters degrees from Union and General Theological Seminaries in New York City. Ivan was employed by Trinity College in 1969 as a community organizer to build bridges between the college and Hartford neighborhoods. He founded an alliance of Trinity College, Hartford Hospital, the Institute of Living and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center. In 1979 he became Executive Director of the SINA coalition (Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance). Throughout his life Ivan was an eloquent spokesman for justice and was dedicated to the quest for world peace. He retired in 1999 but his lifelong activism in support of human rights and community service continued. In 2003 Ivan was honored with the Haupert Humanitarian Award for lifetime achievement presented by Moravian College, his Alma Mater. In the 1990's Ivan helped launch the Hartford area Adult Learning Program (ALP), teaching courses and leading the organization. He was passionate about classical music and the arts which reinforced the strong bond he and his grandson Matthew Bird shared over years. Ivan volunteered his organizational talents to sustain independent cinema for Hartford area audiences, specifically through work with Cinestudio Cinema. His memoir, My Train to Freedom - A Jewish Boy's Journey from Nazi Europe to a Life of Activism, was published in 2016 by Skyhorse Publishers of New York. Modesty defined Ivan and resonated with audiences, including children, when he shared his life story of service and generosity.

Ivan was predeceased by his dear wife Carolyn Bartholomew Backer in 2003 and brother Frank Backer in 2016. He leaves his beloved life partner of 20 years, Paula Fisher of Bloomfield Connecticut; three children, Karen Bird, Deborah Fortunato, Timothy Backer; six grandchildren and cherished friends and relationships in the U.S. and abroad.

Contributions in Ivan's memory may be made for world peace initiatives to American Friends Service Committee, 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia, PA 19102-1477; local philanthropy to Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, 10 Columbus Boulevard, 8th Floor, Hartford CT 06106 or to a charity or organization of choice. A celebration of Ivan's life will be announced in the coming weeks.