Richard Perry Backstrom

Sadly, on January 25, 2022, Richard Perry Backstrom passed with his family in his company.  He was 77.

Born in Rhinelander Wisconsin to Vernon A. and Geraldine M. (nee Perry), he would come to live in Greenbelt with his family in 1946.  Richard attended St. Hugh's Catholic School in his youth and went on to attend Dematha and Highpoint High School.  He enlisted in the D.C. National guard and was assigned to the 115th Hospital Medical Evacuation battalion.  He held an Expert Badge with the M-1 Rifle and a Sharp Shooters Badge with the M-14 Rifle.  His civilian career would see him holding a managerial position in various food related services including acquisitions.  

In Richards leisure, he enjoyed spending time with his boys.  He always had a bat and ball in his trunk and he liked to play catch.  Football was especially enjoyable to him and he loved to watch the Washington Redskins play.  He preferred to be outdoors and would indulge in boating, fishing and crabbing.  Richard liked model trains and antique wooden boats, riding his motorcycle, taking long rides in the mountains and playing guitar.  His favorite music was folk music and he liked Johnny Cash, Billy Joel and Abba among others.  He was a great cook and was known for his delicious cream of crab soup.  He was very particular about the quality of the ingredients he cooked with and would buy only quality brand names, no doubt from his extensive food service experience.  Richard enjoyed sharing time cooking with his grandchildren and barbequing for his family.  When he wasn't making great food for others, he loved to treat himself to  Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips.  Richard was a beloved father and grandfather and found great satisfaction in being with his family.

Surviving him are his devoted sons Eric J. Backstrom, Gregory M. and his wife Stephanie Backstrom, Michael P. and his spouse Seny Backstrom and Kevin J. and his wife Krystle Backstrom.  He will always be cherished in the memories of his loving grandchildren, Kayla, Cameron, Brenden, Maryssa, Joseph, Mikayla, Alyssa and Arianna as well as his beloved great grandchildren, Addison, Madden and Kaiden.  Richard will be deeply missed by his loving sisters Janis M. Lentz and Susan Burns and her husband William.  His friend and the mother of his children, Charlene Backstrom will mourn the loss.  He joins his late brother Charles Perry in passing.  Finally, Richard is reunited with his beloved "Max" who was the family pet dog.

Donations in Richards memory are appreciated, in lieu of flowers, to the American Kidney Foundation and the Maryland SPCA, both found at the bottom of this page.

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