RIP David L. Backlin, "US 71"

[hbelkins]

https://beardsfuneralchapel.com/david-lloyd-backlin-january-9-1960april-9-2023/

RIP to the man we knew as US 71.

His last post was on April 6: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?action=profile;area=showposts;u=57

[codyg1985]

I really hate to hear this. Gosh I don't know the last time I saw him in person. Thanks for sharing. 

[kphoger]

Cody, was it the Wichita meet?

[TheHighwayMan3561]

I knew he had been in the hospital for an extended period recently, but I didn't know this was coming. This sucks.

[Rothman]

This is sad news, indeed.

[WillWeaverRVA]

Oh man. This sucks.

[J N Winkler]

I'm really sorry to hear this news--we lost him much too soon.

[codyg1985]

Cody, was it the Wichita meet?

I think actually it was Memphis in 2019.

[Katavia]

Damn.

[formulanone]

I'm really sorry to hear this news--we lost him much too soon.

Agreed.

From one madman with a camera to another; thanks for all your good work, David.

[rawmustard]

We who are in Omaha for this weekend's meet will be sure to honor him, as he had planned to attend.

Pixel 6 Pro

[74/171FAN]

I really hate to hear this. Gosh I don't know the last time I saw him in person. Thanks for sharing. 

Yeah this is really sad.  I think I saw him at Quad Cities in 2021, but I was not familiar with him in general. 

[bugo]

Wow, this sucks, I knew he was having some health issues, but I didn't know that he was this sick. The last email I got from him was on March 26. There aren't a lot of road enthusiasts in Arkansas, and he was one of the most knowledgeable.

[Scott5114]

He was one of the first road enthusiasts I met in person, and he was a great guy. I'll miss him.

[Henry]

Oh, to be taken away at the pretty young age of 63...

Thanks for the memories, David; you will be sorely missed.

[Thing 342]

Rough news to hear, hoping the best for his family.

[Hunty2022]

Sad news, I am also hoping the best for his family.

[signalman]

Deceased road enthusiasts was a topic of conversation in Sandor's car during the Columbus meet. Sadly, at the time none of us were aware of David no longer being among us.

[A.J. Bertin]

I just learned of this news yesterday and am terribly saddened.  David Backlin was a good man, and I'm glad I had the opportunity to get to know him over the years.  He will definitely be missed in our community.

[MATraveler128]

Damn. This is very sad news. Only 63 is young too. A legend was taken too soon.

[Takumi]

Sad news. Condolences to his family.

[roadman65]

I was informed that he had cancer and used a walking stick to walk. Was that true?

[J N Winkler]

I was informed that he had cancer and used a walking stick to walk. Was that true?

I don't know about cancer.  There have been mentions on Facebook of him going on dialysis and passing away as the result of complications from a fall.  But, yes, he did use a cane.

[intelati49]

Oh no. He was a rock.

SM-G715U1

[TBKS1]

Oh my god man... I'm honestly more in shock than I am sad about his passing. He was an extremely knowledgeable guy on highways in Arkansas, learned quite a lot from him. He will be missed in our community.