Russel Benson Backus, 78, of Fairfax, Virginia passed away September 23, 2022 - shortly after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer.

Russel was born March 31, 1944 to Eugene and Gertrude Cordner Backus. He was the youngest of eight children. Growing up, caring for and harvesting a fruit, berries, and tomatoes on the family's small farm in Orem, Utah and other chores kept the family very busy working together. The hard work had its own reward as he found it made playing ball in the yard and evening fishing in the Provo River much more enjoyable. Russel enjoyed the fellowship and example of his older five brothers and two sisters during that period and came to view their principles as a model for his own happiness and success.

Following graduation from Orem High School in 1962, Russel served in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Florida Mission. Afterward, during his civil/irrigation engineering undergraduate studies at Utah State University, Russel was drafted into the U.S. Army and worked as a surveyor in the artillery battery of the 2nd Armored Cavalry in Bayreuth, Germany. Later, he completed his graduate degree in engineering and USEPA Environmental Traineeship.

Russel's career began at Utah State University Department of Agricultural and Irrigation Engineering's research facility. He later did work for three engineering firms on the construction of municipal water and irrigation systems. Russel was contracted and continued his irrigation work for five months in Bangladesh and this opened the door to the U.S. Foreign Service. He spent 21 years in the Agency for International Development which took him and his family around the world as he supported programs throughout Africa, Asia/Near East, and Europe/Eurasia.

Following retirement, Russel and Margaret went to Budapest, Hungary to serve as full time missionaries for the Church. After returning to their home in Fairfax, Virginia, he served three consecutive Church-service missions helping others use FamilySearch and it's research wiki. On his own time, Russel spent countless hours researching, studying, and writing about his own ancestors' lives. He also enjoyed spending time woodworking, gardening, fishing, hunting, and taking road trips to visit family and historical sites.

Russel is survived by his wife, Margaret; five children, Steven, Julia, Amber, Sam, and Andrew; siblings Richard and Delano Backus and Gerene Pyne; and many in-laws, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He will be greatly missed by the many lives he touched. In addition to his parents, Russel was predeceased by three brothers, Earl, Gary, and D.O. Backus, and his sister, LaRae Slack.

Funeral services will be held at the Walker Sanderson Funeral Home (85 E 300 S, Provo, UT 84606), Saturday, October 15, 2022. Visitation starting at 9:30am and funeral service at 11:00am followed by interment in the Provo City Cemetery. Military Honors will be given.

His service will be streamed live on walkersanderson.com and at this link:

https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/authorise.php?k=1664594862211153

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the American Cancer Society.