Ronald Duane Backer

1922 - 2021

Ronald Duane Backer

Ronald Duane Backer was born to Clarence Backer and Minnie Buls Backer on August 11, 1922 in Worthing, South Dakota. Growing up on the farm helped mold him into the well-rounded man of many talents that he was to become.

In 1943, Ronald married South Dakota girl Mavis Thompson shortly before shipping off to Europe with the 2nd Battalion of the 415th Infantry Regiment of the 104th Infantry Division, the Timberwolves. Seeing service as a bazooka man through France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and into Germany, Ronald was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor in relation to engaging and forcing the withdrawal of German tanks.

Following this, Ronald and Mavis started a family as his career with the Army and NASA brought them from Minnesota to South Dakota and finally to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama and work with the Apollo program. Mavis passed away in 1973.

While home visiting his mother in Centerville, South Dakota, Ronald began spending time with her neighbor's daughter, Elie Mart, and they married in 1977. Following his retirement from NASA and the Army with the rank of Colonel in 1979, Ronald and Elie moved to California, where they have lived ever since.

Aided by Elie's encouragement, Ronald kickstarted a new career as an artist, primarily focusing on historical illustrations or "narrative painting". The initial inspirations were events and landscapes from South Dakota, such as Lewis and Clark ascending Spirit Mound during their famous expedition. This work culminated in Ronald's induction into the South Dakota Hall of Fame as Artist of the Year in 1996. Later on, his focus shifted more towards his new home in California, with ocean landscapes in Orange County and historical events from the Coachella Valley around Palm Desert.

Ronald entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Christmas morning, December 25, 2020 at his home in Palm Desert, CA. He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Mavis. He is survived by his wife, Elie, of Palm Desert; sons Steve Backer (Jan) of Meridianville, AL and Gary Backer (Becky) of Santa Barbara, CA; grandchildren Matthew Backer of Santa Barbara, CA, Jennifer Kosek (Vince) of Santa Barbara, CA, Alan Backer (Kelly) of Huntsville, AL, Kyle Backer (Kerri) of San Diego, CA, and Julie Jerles (Nick) of Hayden, AL; great-grandchildren Dane, Audrey, Owen, Svea, Isla, and Jack.