Ronald J. Back, Sr., 83, formerly of Hot Springs, VA, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2023 in Leesburg, VA.  Anita and Christina, his beloved wife and daughter, were at his side.

Ron was born November 15, 1939 to German immigrants, Sieglinde (Neumann) and Oscar Back, in Niagara Falls, NY. He grew up in a multigenerational home that included his maternal grandparents. When he was caught, at age 9, by his teacher, Sister Everista at St. John DeLaSalle School with a paper airplane, she punished him by making him show the airplane to his parents. His grandfather," Opa", who was babysitting the Back children, was so impressed with how well it flew that he gave Ron a quarter. The nun was thus thwarted, and perhaps this experience is what led Ron to join the civil air patrol in his teens.

Ron graduated from LaSalle High School in 1957 and attended Erie County Technical institute (SUNY-Buffalo) to study Chemistry. One of his early jobs was construction work on the hydroelectric plant in Niagara Falls, NY.

A love of ballroom dancing, studied in his youth, led Ron to a years-long career in the Fred Astaire and Arthur Murray dance studios, teaching dance in Buffalo and then Dallas, Texas.

His enjoyment of people and his charismatic personality ultimately led Ron to a career in sales for a variety of companies with products including diamonds, giftware, and plush animals. In the early 90's Ron started his own firm, Mid-Atlantic Marketing, LLC, and became the exclusive distributor of TY Beanie Babies in VA and WV. This represented the culmination of his sales career, and he was able to retire after riding the Beanie Baby wave to shore.

We remember Ron's kindness, wisdom, generosity, great sense of humor, vision, business sense, and devotion to family. Ron was a loving father, grandfather, and role model to his children and to their children. He was a devoted and amazing single Dad for years, and his daughter Tina noted that he never missed even one of her softball games. He also coached Ron Jr.'s community football team, the Reston Rams. Ron, Jr. (#44) went on to captain his high school team at South Lakes High School in Reston.

He was a loving son and brother, and inspired his younger siblings in many ways, especially in approaching life with wisdom and humor.  A life-long learner, Ron strove to be the best person he could be. He loved race cars, dirt bikes, weight lifting, ballroom dancing, old reclaimed wood, puttering in his wood shop and cooking. He made a heavenly cheesecake and fabulous carrot muffins.

Ron adored dogs and, with Anita, adopted, loved and pampered strays. He would often say, seemingly out of the blue, "I just LOVE dogs!" He loved cats too, but dogs (and Anita) were his soul mates He was a manly man, but embraced his soft side, too.  Ron had a natural grace and dignity about him and was always comfortable in his own skin.

Ron is survived by his wife Anita (Scott), his children Ronald (Kathie) Back and Christina Salerni, his brother Oskar (Suzie) Back and sister Marliesa Back, grandchildren Travis (Jarred) Houtz, Railey Back, Ethan Back, Isabella Salerni, and Fabiola Salerni, and great-granddaughter Delilah Rose Back.  Ron is predeceased by his daughter Sandra Back.

Celebration of life details. To quote Ron "We'll do something, even if it's wrong."

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to:

The Medical Team Hospice, 1896 Preston White Drive, Reston, VA  20191

Bath Animal Welfare, P.O. Box 716, Hot Springs, VA  24445 or online https://bawf.org/?page_id=2003