Duane ‘Bud’ Backstrom, 78, Vero Beach
Duane ‘Bud’ Backstrom, 78, of Vero Beach, passed away on April, 2, 2014.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Cynthia S. Backstrom; sisters, Dr. Velma., and Shirley Cotton; daughters, Denise Backstrom, Lynn Wagner; son, David Backstrom; stepsons, Albert Dunbar, Zachary Dunbar, Christopher Dunbar; stepdaughters, Jennifer Gertz , Cymon Whalin; 15 grandchildren; and his faithful companion, “Rocky.”
Backstrom was born in McKeesport, Penn. on Oct. 21, 1935 to Albert and Virginia Backstrom. He was a graduate of Glassport High School, Class of 1954. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and was a member of the Phi Kappa Alpha Fraternity.
He went on to play back-up center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1958 to 1959. His career was cut short by a run-in with the outfield wall.
Soon after, he worked for Hagan Corporation, a division of Westinghouse, in quality control. He later was appointed General Manager of Marketing for Crown Fab and Crown Steel, both companies were in Orville, Ohio.
Backstrom moved to Toronto, Canada in the late 1970s, where he started his own consulting firm, Dubac Technical Services. On one of his business trips to Orlando, in 1979, he met his wife of 33 years, Cynthia. He soon moved to Sanford, Fla., where they got married on Sept. 6, 1980.
He began a new career as a sales engineer for several companies including AMC and Pennwalt, in the citrus industry located in Vero Beach. He and his wife moved to Vero Beach in 1986, where he resided until he passed away.
Backstrom’s fingerprints can be seen throughout Vero Beach, especially in the golfing community. Through the years, he was responsible for several fund raising golf tournaments at Dodger Pines and belonged to a closely knit group of buddies, affectionately known as “The Baggers.” He was so accommodating to everyone and was a trusted friend, as his friends would attest.
He was a passionate sports fan and rooted for his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Indiana Hoosiers. His family said they would be remiss if they failed to mention his three hole-in-ones. One in Orville, Ohio, the other in Toronto, Canada, and the last one, no.11 at The Lynx at Point West. Sorry “Baggers” for having to hear that again. If one were to take a poll of his family as to what they will miss the most, in no particular order, they would say his grumpy, somewhat dry sense of humor, his ability to outwit Cynthia at crossword puzzles, and his gourmet-style cooking.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 8, at 6 p.m. at Cox Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, 1950 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
