Crowd packs Backens' funeral

By Mary Garrigan, Journal Staff Writer | Wednesday, April 26, 2006

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RAPID CITY -- Scott Backens lived in the shadow of a debilitating disease that claimed him last week at age 50, but more important, said the pastor who eulogized him Tuesday, Backens lived life in the shadow of his strong faith in Jesus Christ.

A crowd of about 400 people filled Trinity Lutheran Church to bid farewell to Backens, a man who put a public face on the disabled in Rapid City. Diagnosed with a progressive neurological disease at age 19, Backens and his wheelchair have been a fixture rolling through life in Rapid City for 30 years. Failing health limited his outings in the past year, but even as recently as two weeks ago, Backens was still attending sporting events, speaking to church youth groups and showing up at the YMCA for workouts. He was hospitalized for an infection that took his life April 21.

The Rev. Bill Paepke, pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, said Backens had "the heart of a lion and the faith of a giant" and had long ago earned a spot in his Hall of Fame of faithful Christians.

"He lived in the shadow of Friedreich's Ataxia, but more importantly, he lived in the shadow of the cross of Jesus Christ, from which he drew much strength," Paepke said.

Noting the single-mindedness - also known as stubbornness - for which Backens was known, Paepke said he never heard Backens speak about his faith without quoting his favorite Scripture, "I can do all things in Christ who strengthens me."

"God was the driver of Scotty's life," Paepke said, while acknowledging his surviving younger brother, Bruce, as "the earthly driver" who was often asked to transport Backens to his many activities. Backens is also survived by a sister, Sandra Holleman, of Sioux Falls. A funeral wreath decorated with snow skis highlighted Backens' annual participation in Ski for Light, a skiing program for disabled people. But it was an altar banner paraphrasing Isaiah 43 that proclaimed the essential truth of his life: "I have called you by name Scotty Backens and you are mine."

Among the many friends and acquaintances at the funeral was Dr. David Sabow, a retired Rapid City neurologist who was physician and friend to Backens over the years.

"Oh, I'll miss him," Sabow said, as he struggled with the emotion of Backens' death. "He gave more to my life than any care I ever gave him."

Contact Mary Garrigan at 394-8410 or mary.garrigan@rapidcityjournal.com