G. Richard "Dick" Backus, a cherished husband, father, grandfather, and esteemed professional, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on February 9, 2024, at the age of 88, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Dayton, Ohio, Dick lived a full and rewarding life marked by love, intelligence, and generosity.

Dick's journey in life was marked by an unwavering commitment to education and excellence. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics from Juanita College. He furthered his education at Columbia University, earning a Master's degree in Operations Research and Finance. His eagerness for knowledge led him to doctoral studies at Cornell University's School of Engineering and advanced training in Computer Design and Programming at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These academic achievements set the stage for his distinguished career.

Throughout his life, Dick dedicated himself to a career as a financial and management consultant. His passion for his work was evident as he continued to engage in his profession throughout his entire life.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dick was a man who cherished time spent with his family. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Elsbeth, with whom he shared a lifetime of love and adventure.

Dick was a man of many interests. He had a thirst for travel, including meeting his wife of 54 years in the jungle of Surinam, South America. He had a lifelong love for all animals and had quite a few unusual pets as a child, a cherished rabbit named Thumper, Alley Oop the alligator, ducks, turtles, and an iguana, just to name a few. He enjoyed classical music, antiquing, and was an avid card player. He treasured time spent with his beloved family and enjoyed entertaining friends. His warm, welcoming presence made every gathering memorable.

 Dick’s family will forever remember his loving kindness and cherish the memories they had with him. He is survived by his oldest son Greg, daughter-in-law Sanda, and granddaughters Britteny and Emerald. Also survived by son Mark, daughter-in-law Holly, and Kayli, Sean, Liam and Charlie Mooney. He was preceded in death by his sister, Jean Hoffman, and his parents, Lola and P.W. Backus, who instilled in him the virtues of integrity and hard work.

Dick's memory will be honored by those who knew him as a man of exceptional character. His generous spirit, loving nature, and intellectual curiosity touched the lives of many and will continue to inspire those who were fortunate enough to know him. Dick's passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, and all who knew him. He will be deeply missed, but his influence will persist in the hearts and minds of his loved ones.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to all those who cared for him during his illness and those who have offered their support during this difficult time. His was a life that exemplified the best of what one can achieve and bequeath to others.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one of Dick’s favorite charities:

Montgomery & Prince George’s Hospice (https://montgomeryhospice.org…

CFC International (https://cfcsyndrome.org/donate)

Tunnel to Towers (https://t2t.org/donate)

St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (https://stjude.org)

Wounded Warrior Project (https://woundedwarriorproject…)

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