The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community mourns the passing of Dr. Ray Backe, an alumnus who was a member of the college’s fourth graduating class – the Class of 1966. Dr. Backe, of Amherst Junction, Wisconsin, formerly of Greendale, Wisconsin, passed away January 19, 2025. He was 84.
Dr. Backe is remembered for how he loved being a veterinarian. He was one of the founding veterinarians of New Berlin Animal Hospital in New Berlin, Wisconsin. He also served as a member of the state advisory committee that initiated the Veterinary Technician program through the Madison Area Technical College in the late ’60s and early ‘70s. Dr. Backe was the small animal chair of the Program Committee.
Dr. Backe considered himself blessed to have had the opportunity to practice veterinary medicine for 40 years – a career that he regarded as extremely rewarding. His clients remember him for his big smile and even bigger heart. He is described as someone who made everyone feel welcome and loved to share a hearty laugh.
Married to the love of his life, Margaret “Peggy” (Trulley), Dr. Backe was dedicated to his family and his roles as dad, husband, brother, uncle, friend, confidant, teacher and mentor. He was known as someone who could fix just about anything. The organized chaos on his desk belied his faithfulness and commitment to his faith, as evidenced by his well-worn Bible. His family knew he loved them more than anything and he treasured having all of them “up north.”
A Memorial Mass was held February 13 at St. James Catholic Church in Amherst. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be considered to one of these charities: St James Catholic Church, PO Box 280, Amherst, WI 54406; Tunnel to Towers Foundation, www.t2t.org; or Southwest Indian Foundation, Project Office, PO Box 86, Gallup, NM 87302-0001.
The Jungers-Holly Funeral Home of Amherst assisted with arrangements. Click here to view a complete obituary.
In Memory – Dr. Raymond Backe (PU DVM ’66)
Writer(s): Kevin Doerr | pvmnews@purdue.edu