Ronald Joseph Backes

Surrounded by family and friends, Ronald Backes died peacefully at his home in Chula Vista on July 7, 2018. Ron was born May 21, 1930, and grew up the tenth of eleven children on a dairy farm in Wisconsin. After college at the University of Wisconsin at River Falls, he enlisted in the Navy and, in his words, found a home. After his first year in the Navy he married Mildred Christianson. During his 23-year career as a Naval Officer he rose to the rank of Commander and received three bronze stars. He attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law and practiced business law and did estate planning for 34 years.

Ron was devoted to his family. He and Mildred had nine children, and he was proud that they all graduated from college. “My goal,” he wrote in an alumni publication, “was to prepare them for a life of service to God and neighbor. I am not disappointed. Life has been good to me. God has blessed me with good health, good friends and a loving family. My advice to young people is to use every opportunity to develop their talents so they will be prepared to be part of the solution.” Ron’s embrace of family was beautifully illustrated by a story that took place many years ago, related by his grandson David to those gathered at his wedding in June. “We were all crammed into one of the hotel rooms after Ben and Andrea’s wedding, sitting around chatting, and Grandpa turned to me out of the blue and said, ‘Look to your left.’ He waited. After I did so, he said, ‘Now look to your right.’ When I turned back to him he said, ‘That’s what it’s all about. Family.’” He and Mildred embodied this spirit in their many travels to visit relatives. Every summer they returned to their childhood homes in the Midwest, and any time of year they happily set off for any destination that offered time with a child or a grandchild.

Ron was also devoted to his church. St. Pius X in Chula Vista was his church home for 48 years. It is there that he worshipped, served God, and found a close community in his and Mildred’s Shepherd group and in his Cursillo men’s group.

Ron is survived by Mildred, his loving partner of 65 years; their children John, Marie, Jane, Paul, Frank, Ruth, Mark, Rita, and Susan; 21 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, his brother Cyril (Zeke), his sister Rita, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was loved widely and will be missed deeply.