Charles Herbert Backhaus

Charlie Backhaus of Lampasas, Texas passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2018. He was born on his family's farm located on Backhaus Road in Pipe Creek, Texas on January 13, 1927 to Julius and Minnie (née DeKunder) Backhaus. He attended school in Boerne and Dripping Springs. He worked at the Galveston Army Air Corps Repair Depot prior to enlisting in the Army serving in World War II at Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Seoul Airfield Base in Korea as an Airplane Crew Chief. This enabled him to continue his boyhood dream of flying which he loved for the rest of his life. He was the recipient of several medals distinguishing his service to his country. Returning from the war, he worked at his brother-in-laws business, Dumas Brothers Machine Shop in Lampasas, Texas. He moved to New Braunfels for a brief period and then to Austin where he worked at Boyce Iron Works. He played guitar and would sometimes participate in jam sessions with Kenneth Threadgill. Opening his own business, Accurate Iron Works, in Austin, he designed and fabricated ornamental and structural pieces that can still be seen all over Texas and the United States. His industrial work includes the iconic ornamental metal exterior of the Department of Theater and Dance Building on the Texas State University campus in San Marcos. While living in Austin, Charlie was also a member of the Sertoma Club and served as a past Master of the T. Neal Porter Masonic Lodge #1354. He returned to Lampasas as co-owner of the Dumas Brothers Machine Shop. Upon "retirement" he opened his Feathers and Iron Studio where he designed and created unique beds and various pieces of furniture. Charlie also enjoyed carving wild birds and had several of his carved ducks sold at Ducks Unlimited auctions. He loved gardening and took great joy in sharing the fruits and vegetables of his labors! He was honored to be listed in the National Registers Who's Who in Executives and Professionals in the 1998-99 edition and was also a member of the Son's of the Republic of Texas. Charlie was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Emil, a sister, Addie, his former wife, Nancy and a daughter, Mary. He is survived by his wife Marilyn. He is also survived by his son, Chris, and daughters Linda Humphrey (Gary) and Kathy Salinas (Roland), his grandchildren Whitney, Jack, Charlie, Brandy, Casey and great grandchildren Chaz, Lilli and Demitrius. His extended family includes Kirk Tidwell (Ann), their children Danny and Joel, Carlton Tidwell and his children Britton (Holly, Orrin), Annie Robinson (Kelon). Visatation will be Thursday, August 9 from 5:00 to 7:00 at the Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas, Texas. Burial will be at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen, Texas on Friday, August 10 at 11:00 followed by a Memorial Service at the Sneed Funeral Chapel in Lampasas at 2:00. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mission Fund at the First Street Church of Christ in Lampasas, Texas.