IU loses ‘supporter, friend’

Those close to former IU trustee Stephen Backer knew him as an expert in education, a good listener and a beloved father.

Following his death March 15 at age 63 after a bout with cancer, friends and former colleagues said those are among the qualities they will miss most.

Backer lived in Carmel, Ind., with his wife and three of his children and was the Carmel Clay school board president.

Carmel Superintendent Barbara Underwood said not everyone knew about Backer’s illness, so to some, his death came as a shock.

“He was a very well-known, involved individual,” Underwood said.

In Carmel, Backer was an attorney for his firm, Backer and Backer, in addition to his school board role. Underwood said he served 15,000 kids, including three of his own.
“He immersed himself in the district,” Underwood said.

Backer became president of the school board in 1994 but left the position when he was appointed to the IU board of trustees in 1998.

Current trustee Sue Talbot served on the board with Backer from 2001 to 2004. She kept in touch with Backer’s family, and they exchanged Christmas cards every year. Talbot said she remembers Backer as a beloved father.

“He was a very devoted family man,” Talbot said. “He really cared about the institution of family.”

On the board, Talbot said Backer had a good business mind, in addition to knowledge of education.

“Steve was very well-versed in education,” Talbot said. “He had a real passion for all ages.”

Steve Ferguson, current IU board of trustees president, worked with Backer on the board from 1998 to 2004. He said Backer, who received both undergraduate and law degrees from IU, made decisions with the school and its students in mind.

“He was always very concerned that the board function in a way that was appropriate for a board role but also addressed that the needs and future of the University were always at the forefront,” Ferguson said.

Backer ended his two terms as a trustee in 2004 and returned to the Carmel school board in 2006.

Underwood said the experience Backer gained as an IU trustee contributed to the Carmel board’s quality.

“He had very, very strong leadership on our board,” Underwood said. “He brought a high level of knowledge not all school boards have.”

Current IU trustee Pat Shoulders said it will be difficult for the Carmel school board to replace Backer’s aptitude for all levels of education.

He also said he remembers Backer as a dedicated, well-prepared trustee – and a true Hoosier fan.

“He had a particular interest in the school of education and IU athletics, and he was certainly not shy about his opinion,” Shoulders said.

According to Backer’s obituary, he was a member of Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity and the Student Athletic Board. He continued to support IU football and basketball in his adult life.

Backer also liked to stay up-to-date with issues at IU, Ferguson said. Even though Backer was no longer a member of the IU board of trustees, he would still call Ferguson and make plans to have lunch to discuss IU.

“The University lost a real supporter and friend,” Ferguson said.