In memory of Andrew C. Backus (1944-2020)

We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Dr. Andrew “Andy” C. Backus who died on January 22, 2020, at the age of 75.

Andy was born on June 12, 1944 in Washington, D.C to Gordon T. Backus and Elizabeth W. Backus. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University, MD with a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in 1966, and PhD in Organic Chemistry in 1972. Andy then took a job at Moorestown Friends School as a Chemistry and Science teacher following which he worked for the Rohm and Haas Co., PA. Later in 1983, Andy received his Master of Divinity from the Harvard Divinity School, MA.

Rev. Backus was ordained on June 5, 1983 by the First Parish Unitarian Universalist, Tyngsboro, MA where he carried out his first ministry from 1982 to 1983. He was then called to serve the UU Society of Oneonta Inc., NY (1983-1994) and the UU Society of Schenectady, NY (1994-2000). Thereafter, Rev. Backus served as an interim minister at the Unitarian Church of Vancouver, BC (2000-2002) and the First UU Church of San Diego, CA (2002-2003). In 2004, he retired from the ministry.

In addition to his parish ministry, Rev. Backus served various denominational boards and committees. He was President of the Washington, DC area Liberal Religious Youth (LRY, 1960-1961); of the Middle Atlantic Region of LRY (1961-1962); and of the Harvard UU Ministerial Students. He presented a program on collegial worship at the Iroquois Chapter of the UUMA; and a workshop on “liturgy” at the General Assembly in 1981, and on “UU Liturgy” at the Eastern NY Cluster Conference in 1986. Rev. Backus functioned as Secretary-Treasurer for the Iroquois Chapter (1986-1992), and Secretary-Treasurer for the continental UUMA (1992-1994). Furthermore, he was a member of the UUMA Computer Communications Committee, and delegate to numerous district meetings and General Assemblies (1976-2000). 

Andy also provided his services to numerous community organizations. He served the Community Relations Committee of Job Corps, Oneonta, NY (1983-1986) and the Clergy Advisory Board of the Planned Parenthood of Delaware and Otsego Counties (1983-1985). Andy functioned as Board of Trustees for several organizations including OURS, a local human services agency (1983-1988); OFO, a human services agency (1989-1994); Project 85, a human services agency (1990); and Planned Parenthood of Northeastern NY (1995-1998). He was co-convener for the Schenectady County Clergy Association and Community Facilitator of Study Circles, an anti-racism program (2000). From 1983 to 2000, he was a speaker at numerous community-wide public events. Moreover, Andy had created his website: ” Celebrating Family and Community Gatherings: music and song-for all traditions, with inclusive language, free of charge” (this website will be up through 2020).

In his spare time, Andy enjoyed piano, photography, carpentry, boating, tennis, roller skating, and cooking.

Andy is survived by his wife of 53 years, Christine L. Backus; his sister Leslie Claire Backus, and his brother-in-law Greg Cassidy; his nieces Alisha and Hema Sarang-Sieminski and their children, Thendral, Kavyn and Suriyan.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, February 15, at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth St, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Notes of condolences may be sent to Chris Backus at 2746 Broadway St, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Additional information may be found here.