Roman J. Backhaus, age 92 of St. Nazianz, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, May 5, 2020, with his family by his side at Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Manitowoc.
Romy was born on February 7, 1928, in St. Nazianz, son of the late Joseph and Florentine (Schuler) Backhaus. He attended St. Gregory’s grade school and was a graduate of Kiel High School. He excelled at sports and was a stand-out Track Runner; holding the Kiel High School Record for many years as well as competing at State in the 880 yard dash. Romy was drafted in November of 1950. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sargent of Motorpool at Camp McCoy. On May 7, 1960, Romy married the love on his life, Edna Weber.
Romy was a second-generation owner of Backhaus Garage, a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Truck dealership in St. Nazianz. Backhaus Garage also owned and operated the school buses for the Valders and Kiel School District, had a mail route, and delivered freight to surrounding businesses. After retirement, Romy found it hard to sit still, so he went to work at Miller Implement, delivering and picking up parts.
Romy was very proud of the many professional awards he received over the years, including several Five Star Awards for quality and service excellence, and the Sales Honor Society Club in 1978. The biggest award Romy and his Garage received was the number 1 Car Dealer for Chrysler in Small Dealerships across the United States in 1995. To receive this prestigious award, he and his wife Edna were flown to Scottsdale, AZ. He and Edna regularly received award trips from Chrysler to attend Super Bowls or Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournaments.
Romy was an active and strong supporter of the community in which he lived. In his heart, he was a “St. Nazianz” man. He enjoyed immensely the key role he played in the St. Nazianz Sesquicentennial, raising monies and organizing the celebration. Over the years, he was involved with the FFA, the Lions Club and the Village Board. He was a proud member of the St. Nazianz American Legion and held the position of County Commander for many years. He was recognized as a 50-year member of the American Legion. During the Christmas Holiday Season, you could always find Romy around Manitowoc County ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Romy enjoyed traveling with Edna and his family. They have many photos and stories from their travels overseas to Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Aruba and more. Edna’s extended family still live in Germany, making that destination a favorite. Touring Alaska via the Inner Passage was a recent favorite vacation, as they saw a lot of wildlife and watched a glacier 'calf'. Romy enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved watching his three grandsons – Noah, Alex and Ian – play soccer. His love of sports shined through, this time from the sidelines.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Edna, three children: Mark (Cindy) Backhaus of Shiocton, Ann Backhaus (Peter Ptschelinzew) of Australia, and Dave (Samantha) Backhaus of Zionsville, IN and their children: Noah, Alex and Ian. Romy is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joe Weber, Dorothy Herr, Andy Weber, Eugene (Julie) Weber and Paul (Lois) Weber, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Romy was preceded in death by his sister: Agnes (Eddie) Neumeyer, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Marie (Claude) Lisowe, Johanna Weber, and Bobbie Herr.
A Private Family Service will be held and Romy will be laid to rest at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery, St. Nazianz. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wagner-Eberle-Sukowaty Post #477, St. Nazianz.
Romy was born on February 7, 1928, in St. Nazianz, son of the late Joseph and Florentine (Schuler) Backhaus. He attended St. Gregory’s grade school and was a graduate of Kiel High School. He excelled at sports and was a stand-out Track Runner; holding the Kiel High School Record for many years as well as competing at State in the 880 yard dash. Romy was drafted in November of 1950. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sargent of Motorpool at Camp McCoy. On May 7, 1960, Romy married the love on his life, Edna Weber.
Romy was a second-generation owner of Backhaus Garage, a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Truck dealership in St. Nazianz. Backhaus Garage also owned and operated the school buses for the Valders and Kiel School District, had a mail route, and delivered freight to surrounding businesses. After retirement, Romy found it hard to sit still, so he went to work at Miller Implement, delivering and picking up parts.
Romy was very proud of the many professional awards he received over the years, including several Five Star Awards for quality and service excellence, and the Sales Honor Society Club in 1978. The biggest award Romy and his Garage received was the number 1 Car Dealer for Chrysler in Small Dealerships across the United States in 1995. To receive this prestigious award, he and his wife Edna were flown to Scottsdale, AZ. He and Edna regularly received award trips from Chrysler to attend Super Bowls or Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournaments.
Romy was an active and strong supporter of the community in which he lived. In his heart, he was a “St. Nazianz” man. He enjoyed immensely the key role he played in the St. Nazianz Sesquicentennial, raising monies and organizing the celebration. Over the years, he was involved with the FFA, the Lions Club and the Village Board. He was a proud member of the St. Nazianz American Legion and held the position of County Commander for many years. He was recognized as a 50-year member of the American Legion. During the Christmas Holiday Season, you could always find Romy around Manitowoc County ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Romy enjoyed traveling with Edna and his family. They have many photos and stories from their travels overseas to Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Aruba and more. Edna’s extended family still live in Germany, making that destination a favorite. Touring Alaska via the Inner Passage was a recent favorite vacation, as they saw a lot of wildlife and watched a glacier 'calf'. Romy enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved watching his three grandsons – Noah, Alex and Ian – play soccer. His love of sports shined through, this time from the sidelines.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Edna, three children: Mark (Cindy) Backhaus of Shiocton, Ann Backhaus (Peter Ptschelinzew) of Australia, and Dave (Samantha) Backhaus of Zionsville, IN and their children: Noah, Alex and Ian. Romy is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joe Weber, Dorothy Herr, Andy Weber, Eugene (Julie) Weber and Paul (Lois) Weber, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Romy was preceded in death by his sister: Agnes (Eddie) Neumeyer, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Marie (Claude) Lisowe, Johanna Weber, and Bobbie Herr.
A Private Family Service will be held and Romy will be laid to rest at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery, St. Nazianz. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wagner-Eberle-Sukowaty Post #477, St. Nazianz.
Roman J. Backhaus, age 92 of St. Nazianz, died peacefully on Tuesday morning, May 5, 2020, with his family by his side at Rivers Bend Health and Rehabilitation Center, Manitowoc.
Romy was born on February 7, 1928, in St. Nazianz, son of the late Joseph and Florentine (Schuler) Backhaus. He attended St. Gregory’s grade school and was a graduate of Kiel High School. He excelled at sports and was a stand-out Track Runner; holding the Kiel High School Record for many years as well as competing at State in the 880 yard dash. Romy was drafted in November of 1950. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sargent of Motorpool at Camp McCoy. On May 7, 1960, Romy married the love on his life, Edna Weber.
Romy was a second-generation owner of Backhaus Garage, a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Truck dealership in St. Nazianz. Backhaus Garage also owned and operated the school buses for the Valders and Kiel School District, had a mail route, and delivered freight to surrounding businesses. After retirement, Romy found it hard to sit still, so he went to work at Miller Implement, delivering and picking up parts.
Romy was very proud of the many professional awards he received over the years, including several Five Star Awards for quality and service excellence, and the Sales Honor Society Club in 1978. The biggest award Romy and his Garage received was the number 1 Car Dealer for Chrysler in Small Dealerships across the United States in 1995. To receive this prestigious award, he and his wife Edna were flown to Scottsdale, AZ. He and Edna regularly received award trips from Chrysler to attend Super Bowls or Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournaments.
Romy was an active and strong supporter of the community in which he lived. In his heart, he was a “St. Nazianz” man. He enjoyed immensely the key role he played in the St. Nazianz Sesquicentennial, raising monies and organizing the celebration. Over the years, he was involved with the FFA, the Lions Club and the Village Board. He was a proud member of the St. Nazianz American Legion and held the position of County Commander for many years. He was recognized as a 50-year member of the American Legion. During the Christmas Holiday Season, you could always find Romy around Manitowoc County ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Romy enjoyed traveling with Edna and his family. They have many photos and stories from their travels overseas to Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Aruba and more. Edna’s extended family still live in Germany, making that destination a favorite. Touring Alaska via the Inner Passage was a recent favorite vacation, as they saw a lot of wildlife and watched a glacier 'calf'. Romy enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved watching his three grandsons – Noah, Alex and Ian – play soccer. His love of sports shined through, this time from the sidelines.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Edna, three children: Mark (Cindy) Backhaus of Shiocton, Ann Backhaus (Peter Ptschelinzew) of Australia, and Dave (Samantha) Backhaus of Zionsville, IN and their children: Noah, Alex and Ian. Romy is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joe Weber, Dorothy Herr, Andy Weber, Eugene (Julie) Weber and Paul (Lois) Weber, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Romy was preceded in death by his sister: Agnes (Eddie) Neumeyer, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Marie (Claude) Lisowe, Johanna Weber, and Bobbie Herr.
A Private Family Service will be held and Romy will be laid to rest at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery, St. Nazianz. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wagner-Eberle-Sukowaty Post #477, St. Nazianz.
Romy was born on February 7, 1928, in St. Nazianz, son of the late Joseph and Florentine (Schuler) Backhaus. He attended St. Gregory’s grade school and was a graduate of Kiel High School. He excelled at sports and was a stand-out Track Runner; holding the Kiel High School Record for many years as well as competing at State in the 880 yard dash. Romy was drafted in November of 1950. He served in the U.S. Army as a Sargent of Motorpool at Camp McCoy. On May 7, 1960, Romy married the love on his life, Edna Weber.
Romy was a second-generation owner of Backhaus Garage, a Chrysler Plymouth Dodge Truck dealership in St. Nazianz. Backhaus Garage also owned and operated the school buses for the Valders and Kiel School District, had a mail route, and delivered freight to surrounding businesses. After retirement, Romy found it hard to sit still, so he went to work at Miller Implement, delivering and picking up parts.
Romy was very proud of the many professional awards he received over the years, including several Five Star Awards for quality and service excellence, and the Sales Honor Society Club in 1978. The biggest award Romy and his Garage received was the number 1 Car Dealer for Chrysler in Small Dealerships across the United States in 1995. To receive this prestigious award, he and his wife Edna were flown to Scottsdale, AZ. He and Edna regularly received award trips from Chrysler to attend Super Bowls or Sweet Sixteen Basketball Tournaments.
Romy was an active and strong supporter of the community in which he lived. In his heart, he was a “St. Nazianz” man. He enjoyed immensely the key role he played in the St. Nazianz Sesquicentennial, raising monies and organizing the celebration. Over the years, he was involved with the FFA, the Lions Club and the Village Board. He was a proud member of the St. Nazianz American Legion and held the position of County Commander for many years. He was recognized as a 50-year member of the American Legion. During the Christmas Holiday Season, you could always find Romy around Manitowoc County ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.
Romy enjoyed traveling with Edna and his family. They have many photos and stories from their travels overseas to Canada, the Bahamas, Germany, Greece, Turkey, Aruba and more. Edna’s extended family still live in Germany, making that destination a favorite. Touring Alaska via the Inner Passage was a recent favorite vacation, as they saw a lot of wildlife and watched a glacier 'calf'. Romy enjoyed spending time with his family, and loved watching his three grandsons – Noah, Alex and Ian – play soccer. His love of sports shined through, this time from the sidelines.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 60 years Edna, three children: Mark (Cindy) Backhaus of Shiocton, Ann Backhaus (Peter Ptschelinzew) of Australia, and Dave (Samantha) Backhaus of Zionsville, IN and their children: Noah, Alex and Ian. Romy is further survived by his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Joe Weber, Dorothy Herr, Andy Weber, Eugene (Julie) Weber and Paul (Lois) Weber, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Romy was preceded in death by his sister: Agnes (Eddie) Neumeyer, sisters-in-law and brother-in-law: Marie (Claude) Lisowe, Johanna Weber, and Bobbie Herr.
A Private Family Service will be held and Romy will be laid to rest at St. Gregory Catholic Cemetery, St. Nazianz. Military Honors will be accorded by the Wagner-Eberle-Sukowaty Post #477, St. Nazianz.
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