Howard R. Backer passed away peacefully at his home in La Cañada Flintridge in the early morning hours of Tuesday, February 20, 2024, after a four-month long illness. He had just celebrated his 94th birthday with family all around him.
He is survived by his wife, Rhoda Backer, and seven children: Daniel Emmons, Diane Emmons Brown, Carol Backer, Kathleen Backer Mendez, Alan Backer, Kenneth Emmons and Kelly Emmons Brown. Preceding Howard in death are his parents Frank and Beulah Backer, only brother Homer Backer, a newborn daughter Mary Francis Backer, a nine-week old grandchild Cody Dunton, adult son Michael Backer, and first wife Sylvia Backer. Howard met Sylvia while in the Army Reserves and stayed married for nearly 25 years until she succumbed to cancer. Howard then courted and married his second wife Rhoda Emmons and had 43 years of love and adventures together, managing eight children. His family continued to grow by the addition of 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Howard was a veteran with the Army Reserves and served in Germany during the Korean War. After his discharge, he completed college at the University of Missouri at Columbia. He was very proud of how well the Mizzou football team played this year. He raised his family in La Cañada Flintridge and faithfully attended and served at the La Cañada Presbyterian Church. He believed deeply in public service both through his church activities, the local Kiwanis as well as generously giving to local and national charities. Simply stated, Howard was a man of great faith who put that faith into action wherever it was needed. He will be missed by many.
Services will be held on March 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. at La Cañada Presbyterian Church.
Donations can be made to:
Kiwanis
CAL-NEV-HA
Children’s Fund
P.O. Box 1327
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91729
La Cañada Presbyterian Church
Music Fund
626 Foothill Blvd
La Cañada, CA 91011
