ROBERT BACKSTROM

ROBERT "BOB" BACKSTROM

Cedar Rapids

Robert E. Backstrom departed this life Tuesday,

Dec. 9, 2014, at Hennepin County Medical Center, Minneapolis, following a sudden illness.

Bob was born March 17, 1937, in Iowa City, Iowa, to James Edward Backstrom Sr. and Frances Amy (Nance) Backstrom. He grew up in Cedar Rapids, where he attended public schools. After high school, Bob attended Kirkwood Community College and became a drafter. He also taught part-time at Kirkwood. He married MaryAnn Whitley; however, they later divorced. After several years working as a drafter, Bob made a decision to take a paraprofessional position with the Department of Human Services in Cedar Rapids. He continued in a similar position with Hennepin County upon moving to Minneapolis until he retired.

Bob was a mason of the Prince Hall affiliation, F & AM, Minnesota Juris-diction and a past WM of his lodge. He had many other interests, including bowling with a league that traveled all over the U.S., horseshoes, archery, traveling, reading and chess.

He was a compassionate gentleman of the old school who believed in God, helping where he could and doing the right thing by his fellow man. Of him, it was said, "Bob was a good man" and "his was a life well lived."

He loved his family deeply.

Bob is survived by his sons, Sylvester of Cedar Rapids, Michael of Denver, Colo., and Anthony and James of Cedar Rapids; a daughter, Stacey of Denver, Colo.; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; a brother, James of Des Moines; and a sister, Meinard Backstrom Wright of Cedar Rapids. Many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends also are left to remember the life lessons they learned from him.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Lewis D. Patterson Jr. and Lawrence "Larry" T. Baker Jr.