Dr. Ivan A. Backerman

Dr. Ivan A. Backerman, aged 88, passed away on November 27, 2023. Born on August 19, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, he was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel L. and Ruth Backerman, and brothers Gilbert and Norman. Dr. Backerman is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Susie Bramlett Backerman, his daughter Jill (Backerman) Finnerty and her husband Tom, his cherished grandchildren Cullen Finnerty of Fitchburg, WI, and Isabel Finnerty of Athens, GA as well as his loved nephews Dr. Sam Beckerman (Erica) of Los Angeles, CA and Dr. Dan Beckerman (Carolyn) of San Francisco, CA.
At the young age of only 16, Ivan Backerman was awarded the prestigious Ford Foundation Scholarship to the University of Chicago. He was only in his second year of high school. At the University of Chicago, he earned an A.B. in Philosophy and an S.B. in Biochemistry.
While completing his undergraduate degree he was awarded a full scholarship to the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, where he went on to complete four years of training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Crawford W Long Memorial Hospital of Emory, concluding his medical training in 1964.
Dr. Backerman established a distinguished private practice of Obstetrics and Gynecology in East Point, Georgia. He spent 32 years caring for the women of south-Atlanta, delivering thousands of babies and enjoying his passion for teaching and training new physicians, medical students and nurses. He served on the volunteer clinical faculty at the Department of OB-GYN at Emory School of Medicine.
While in private practice, he served as the head of the department and chief of medical staff at South Fulton Medical Center, contributing significantly to the medical community. Dr. Backerman held esteemed positions, including President of the Atlanta OB-GYN Society, Board of Directors of the Georgia OB-GYN Society, and Board of Directors of South Atlanta Association of OB-GYN. He was honored as a Fellow of the American College of OB-GYN, the American College of Surgeons, and the International College of Surgeons, among numerous other boards and fellowships.
In 1996, Dr. Backerman and his wife Susie retired to their beloved Dog Island home, where they resided full-time. Dr. Backerman could not leave his passion for caring for people behind. For three decades, Dr. Backerman served as the dedicated Emergency Physician for the residents of Dog Island, Florida, volunteering his medical expertise to treat injuries and illnesses, even animals, when an island emergency arose. His service extended beyond, he was the acting as the Medical Advisor for Dog Island Fire Department First Responders and provided volunteer and teaching services in clinics in Panama City and Franklin County, showcasing his commitment to accessible healthcare. In 2002, he received the President's Volunteer Service Gold Award for his countless hours of community service. The Florida Medical Association acknowledged his contributions to indigent and medically needy individuals and in 2005, he received a volunteer award from the Florida Department of Health for outstanding contributions to the Department and Health of Women.
Dr. Backerman's passions were not limited solely to being a doctor and caring for his patients. That passion extended to the love of flying. A licensed pilot since 1967, he and Susie loved flying to and from the island, as well as around the United States and Bahamas. It was his primary source of transportation when he first moved to Dog Island. He was a proud and active member of the Tallahassee Hanger of the Quiet Birdmen, a society for male aviators. He tried hard to never miss a meeting and enjoyed many events with fellow members. Dr. Backerman embraced life from traveling with Dog Island friends, entertaining his family and friends on his gulf-view porch, striking up the grill to make delicious ribs and steak and passionately following college football. He displayed his team flag and sported FSU gear as well as supporting each grandchild with a shout of Roll Tide and Go Dawgs and a quick change of the house flags and outfit depending on which game was on TV. A connoisseur of art, music, and food, he remained a perpetual scholar with an insatiable curiosity.
Dr. Ivan A. Backerman will be deeply missed by all those he selflessly served and loved. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Dog Island First Responders/Volunteer Fire Department HC63, P.O. Box 5004, Carrabelle, FL 32322. Checks made out to Dog Island Volunteer Fire Department.
The family will be receiving guests for a visitation at Bevis Funeral Home of Tallahassee (200 John Knox Rd) on Friday, December 29, 2023 at 11:00 am with a service to immediately follow at 12:00 pm.
Spreading of Ashes and Celebration of Life will be held on Dog Island at The Backerman Residence on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 4:00 pm.
Breanna Green of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the family with their arrangements.