Timothy David Backus

Timothy David Backus passed away from this life to the next at the age of 75 on Tuesday, December 17, 2024. He was a diligent, curious, and hard working man with a positive outlook on life. An engineer, who loved to read and was driven to excel in any project he started. He spent his last days with his beloved wife, Linda, at their home in Westerville.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda Kathleen (Barth) Backus and sisters, Lois B. Jacob of Fredericksburg, VA and Kristen N. Backus of Longwood, FL. Also nieces, great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, David Neely Backus and Cleo Anita (Roberts) Backus.
Born August 24, 1949, Tim grew up in Grandview Heights, OH. He was very active in Boy Scout Troop 10 where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Tim graduated from Columbus Academy, Columbus, OH, Class of 1967, Union College, Schenectady, NY with a BS in mechanical engineering, Class of 1972 and Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH with an MBA in business finance.
Tim's hobbies include collecting Lionel "O" gage model trains. He was an active member of the buckeye Division of the Toy Train Operating Society (TTOS), where he served as treasurer. While Living in Dallas, TX, he had the opportunity to work on the rehabilitation of the Union Pacific 4018 Big Boy steam locomotive. He was an avid race car fan having attended over fifty Indy 500 races and NASCAR races at the Michigan International Raceway, as well as numerous other NASCAR Circuit tracks. Tim also, designed and built several projects for his residence. Other sports interest include baseball, hockey and football.
Tim loved to travel and was sent all around the world in his 40-year career in the surface mining industry, often going to Canada, Australia and South Africa. He began his career with Marion Power Shovel, Marion, OH in 1973 and retired from P&H Mining Equipment, Milwaukee, WI in 2015. After retirement, Tim and Linda, their two dogs and cats relocated to their family farm in Westerville, OH.
A private graveside service will be held at Blendon Central Cemetery.
Visitation will be held Monday, Decemeber 23rd from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Westerville, 41 West College Ave., Westerville, OH 43081 where a service will follow at 1:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, please make all memorial donations to the following:
* Licking Land Trust, PO Box 16 Granville, OH 443023 or PayPal. https://lickinglandtrust.org/
*First Presbyterian Church of Westerville, 41 West College Ave., Westerville, OH 43081
*Columbus Humane, 3015 Scioto Darby Executive Ct., Columbus, OH 43026 https://www.columbushumane.org/
*CHA Animal Shelter, 3765 Corporate Drive, Columbus, OH 43231 https://chaanimalshelter.org/