Gordon Backlund

Gordon Backlund (born November 11, 1940) was an American politician and electrical engineer.

Backlund was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota. He graduated from Two Harbors High School in Two Harbors, Minnesota. Backlund received his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of Minnesota and his master's degree in public administration from University of Iowa. He worked for Collins Radio Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Backlund lived in Fridley, Minnesota. He served in the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1985 and 1986 and was a Republican. In 1989, Backlund served on the Fridley School Board. His brother-in-law Daniel Knuth and his niece Kate Knuth also served in the Minnesota Legislature.[1][2]

Personal life

Gordon's spouse is Linda, and he has a daughter, Melanie.[3] His son Mark died in January 2008, at age 29, after a traffic accident.[4] Mark was tasered by Minnesota State troopers after being "uncooperative and combative." State troopers were cleared of any wrongdoing in the incident.[5]

Notes

  1. Minnesota Legislators Past & Present-Gordon Backlund
  2. Fridley Public Schools District Bulletin, Fridley, Minnesota, December 2013, vol. 48, issue 1, pg.6, School board member named to Fridley Hall of Fame
  3. Mark Backlund Obituary. St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 18, 2008.
  4. John Brewer - Taser victim’s family is left to wonder St. Paul Pioneer Press, January 17, 2008
  5. Pat Pheifer - Troopers cleared in Tasered Fridley man's death Minneapolis Star Tribune MAY 8, 2008 quote:"Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner said the State Patrol acted appropriately to subdue Mark Backlund in January and a " Taser was a nonfactor"; an autopsy concluded that he died of drug abuse."


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