Gazette file photo Bob Backon at an August. 2024 Houghton City Council meeting. Also shown is Houghton City Council member Robert McGowen, right and Clerk Ann Vollwrath.

HOUGHTON — Long time community leader, educator and local sports personality, Robert “Bob” Backon passed away Sunday at the Omega House in Houghton. Backon was born in downstate Highland Park, but raised in Ironwood, graduating from Luther L. Wright High School.

He earned his bachelor’s of science degree from Northland College in Wisconsin and a master’s in education from Northern Michigan University. Backon moved to Houghton in 1967 an began a 35-year career at Houghton High teaching U.S. history and government.

AT Houghton, he became involved in athletics and was a long-time girls and boys golf coach. He also coached JV basketball at Houghton. Long after his coaching days, Backon remained on the local high school sports scene as a high school basketball and football referee for many years. The highlight was officiating an MHSAA state championship football game in 1996 at the Pontiac Silverdome.

An avid sports fan his favorite teams were the Detroit Tigers, Red Wings, Pistons, and all MTU and Houghton Gremlin athletics. According to Backon’s obituary, “his favorite team of all was his beloved Detroit Lions. No team matched the passion he had for sports like the Honolulu Blue & Silver.”

Backon married the former Sandra Rintala of Hancock in 1969 and together they raised two children, Nina and Steve, himself a standout basketball player for HHS.

Backon began his political career on the City of Houghton Planning Commission in the late 1980s. That led to more than three decades on the Houghton City Council, his first election coming in 1990. In Houghton, the mayor is elected by the city council. The council first chose Backon has the city’s mayor in 2008 and he held that position until his passing.

Houghton City Clerk Amy Zawada called the mayor, “one of the greatest people I have had the honor of knowing.” Calling him “everybody’s hype man,” Zawada said he was quick to offer compliments and praise to everyone. “He had endless stories from teaching high school, reffing, coaching golf and his long political career in Houghton. He will be sorely missed.”

Zawada’s thoughts were echoed by long-time Houghton City Council member Robert McGowan. “We lost an incredible man,” McGowan said. “He was a true community leader.

Houghton City Manager Eric Waara was quick to praise his long-time colleague and friend. “Mayor Bob was one of those rare people you meet in your life who was eternally optimistic, wise, and giving.”

LIke others, Waara mentioned Backon’s years as an educator and sports personality. “Through his decades teaching and as a referee there were generations of students and athletes who knew “Mr. B.” Waara said, adding that former students would run out into the middle of a parade to say hi to him.

Waara said Backon’s contributions to the city cannot be overstated. “His decades as part of Houghton’s leadership helped shape what Houghton is today. People like him don’t come along that often. I will miss his counsel and our conversations.”

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. A complete obituary can be found on today’s page A3 of the Daily Mining Gazette.