Knute Backman

Knute Backman, 77, passed away June 8, 2013 at the LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.  He was born July 6, 1935 in Somerville, Massachusetts to Carl and Hazel (Hinxman) Backman.  He was the third of four children.  He grew up in Wilmington, Massachusetts and graduated from Wilmington High School in 1953.  He served in the US Navy from 1953 – 1957 aboard the U.S.S. Cadmus AR 14.  He attended school in Boston and was hired by Univac / Sperry Corporation.  He worked in the control tower at Boston’s Logan International Airport, at MIT’s Haystack Observatory, Lincoln Labs, and Raytheon’s Patriot Missile.  He retired after 38 years.
He lived in Merrimack, New Hampshire from 1963 – 1998 and moved to Evanston, Wyoming in 1999.  He loved coming to Wyoming for vacations and finally living here.
He married his high school sweetheart, Rachel Ann Bourbeau in 1954, in Woburn, Massachusetts.  He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where he served as High Councilman, Stake Clerk, Ward Clerk, and High Priest Group Leader.  He served a 2 year stake mission in Lowell, Massachusetts in the Vietnamese and Cambodian Branch.  He had a great love for the temple and home teaching.
His interests included watching football and golf, traveling, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, genealogy, and was proud of his Swedish heritage, going to the temple, listening to his granddaughter Lindsey play the piano, being with family, and was very patriotic.
He is survived by his wife, Rachel and his four children: Kim (Charles) Snively of LaBarge, WY., Eric (Julie) Backman of Diamondville, WY., Karen (Mike) Wiemer of Layton, UT., and Kyle (Lucinda) Backman of Murray, UT., a brother, Carl (Dolly) Backman of Middleton, CT. and a sister, Janet (Frank) Zender of Southern Pines, NC., and 11 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Leon, and grandson Adam Backman.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2013 at 11 am at the Sage Street LDS Ward Chapel in Evanston, Wyoming.  A viewing will be held on Friday evening from 6 – 8 pm at Crandall Funeral Home as well as one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday.
Interment will take place at Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy, Utah at 3 pm Saturday.