STRONG MAN ELMER BACK DIES AT AGE 94

Elmer Back, 94, of Newport (Lincoln Co.) died March 25, 2000.

He was born in Sandsvall, Sweden on March 2, 1906, to Elmer and Beda Stronberg Kallback.

He came to America in 1923 at the age of 17, and worked in sawmills in Bend.

He was known along the West Coast as the "Strong Man" performing for the Elks, Eagles and Moose Lodges as well as other gatherings in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and California. In 1934, he bent a piece of cable from the Golden Gate Bridge. For four years, he traveled with a carnival to perform his feats of strength.

In 1936, he moved to Toledo and went to work for C.D. Johnson Lumber. He performed regularly at Toledo's former Pioneer Days celebrations.

After World War II, he became a citizen of the United States. He married Sallie Rebeca Casey Austin in 1929; she preceded him in death in 1971. After his wife's death, he divided his time living in Sweden and Toledo.

He was a 69-year member of the Assembly of God Church.

Survivors include his daughters Beda Tribbett of Newport and Alma Brown of Toledo; grandchildren Mark Gwynn of Bandon, Debi Holt of Vancouver, Washington, and Rhonda Barton of Florence; stepsons Billy Austin of Gervais and David Austin of Los Angeles, California; a step-daughter, Ethel Harvey of Gervais; 14 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held Monday at noon at Bateman Funeral Home, Newport. Interment will be in Eureka Cemetery of Newport. The family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society or Hospice. Bateman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.