A5
THE ASTORIAN • THuRSdAy, MAy 20, 2021
OBITUARIES
Gouverneur Charles ‘Chuck’ Backus
Seaside
June 11, 1928 — May 6, 2021
Gouverneur Charles “Chuck” Backus, ship the Pacific during 1962. In early 1963, Point
fitter senior chief petty officer, U.S. Navy, Defiance transported the bathyscaphe Trieste
retired, of Seaside, passed away on May 6, from San Diego through the Panama Canal
to Boston, and then participated
2021, age 92 years, 10 months, 26
in deep search operations into the
days, at his home. He resided in Sea-
cause of the loss of the nuclear sub-
side for the past 56 years.
marine Thresher (SSN-593), which
He was born on June 11, 1928,
sank during deep-diving tests east of
in Sheridan, Wyoming, the son of
Boston.
the late Guy William Backus and
After completing his naval
Laura Lorraine Skinner. He grew up
career, the family settled in Seaside.
on ranches in Wyoming in Buffalo,
He worked for Gearhart and then
Lander and Big Horn before moving
the Oregon Parks and Recreation
to the Medford area in 1943, where
Department at Saddle Mountain,
he worked at Harry & David after
school and during summers building Gouverneur Backus Ecola Park and Fort Stevens state
parks before starting the K-9 Motel
shipping boxes.
Chuck enlisted in the Navy on Sept. 2, 1945. pet boarding business on U.S. Highway 101.
He was a member of the Seaside Moose and
His final reenlistment was in American Samoa
Seaside American Legion Post 99. He liked lis-
before retiring on June 10, 1965.
He met his wife of 67 years, Shirley Aline tening to the early country music artists, avidly
Riley Backus, when he was stationed at Tongue read western novels and had a passion for hunt-
Point naval station in Astoria. They married on ing and fishing.
Besides his wife, he was preceded in death
Dec. 25, 1948, in Medford; she preceded him
by his brother, Gilbert C. Backus (major, U.S.
in death on June 1, 2016.
Chuck was enormously proud of his naval Air Force, retired) of Rancho Cordova, Cal-
service. He was assigned to ships based out of ifornia; son, Guy Edward Backus, on Feb. 3,
San Diego, Long Beach, and Oakland, Califor- 2020; and great-grandson, Erik M. Martin, on
nia: the USS Leedstown (APA-56), USS Steamer Sept. 22, 2003.
He is survived by a son, Charles S. Backus,
Bay (CVA-87), USS Matanikau (CVE-101),
USS LCS-92, USS LCM-118, USS LST 855, of Seaside; and a daughter, Tara B. Ruth, and
USS Marshall (DD-676), USS Diphda (AKA- her husband, Dennis, of Corvallis. Surviving
59), USS Gen. William A. Mann (AP-112) and grandchildren are Rebecca L. Hagan, of Weiser,
Idaho, Charles E. Backus, of Weiser, Melissa
two tours on USS Point Defiance (LSD-31).
Shore duty stations were at the Columbia A. Barnes, and her husband, William, of Lin-
River Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet (Tongue coln City, Jessica M. Martin, and her husband,
Point) Astoria, the ship repair facility in Yoko- Jeffery, of Phoenix, Arizona, and Karen Dow,
suka, Japan, and the naval schools command in and her husband, Justin, of Portland; seven
great-grandchildren, Kameron M. Pierce, Chel-
Treasure Island, California.
His military decorations include the World sie M. Backus, Jasmine E. Hust, Alexandria L.
War II Victory Medal, Korean Service Medal Martin, Liam O. Barnes, Reagan K. Dow and
(two stars), China Service Medal, United Kevin C. Dow; and great-great-grandchildren,
Nations Medal, National Defense Service Harper Dahlke, Carson Dahlke and Kinsley
Mae Bailey.
Medal and six Good Conduct Medals.
Also surviving is a brother-in-law, John
When assigned to the USS Point Defiance,
the ship became one of the first rocket-launch- C. Riley, of Oregon City; half-sister, Thelma
ing surface ships to support the 1958 Interna- Anne Freske, and her husband, David, of Cre-
tional Geophysical Year solar eclipse expedi- swell; half-brothers, John “Bud” Backus, and
tion to the South Pacific.
his wife, Marlene, of Yoncalla, and Frank J.
During that deployment the noted Amer- Backus, of White Salmon, Washington, and his
ican writer, actor, radio commentator and partner, Judy Gross, and Richard L. Backus, of
broadcaster and traveler, Lowell Thomas, was Sutherlin; and nieces and nephews.
He will be cremated with burial at the con-
aboard Point Defiance, and was a frequent
guest in the chief petty officers’ mess, which venience of the family. Hughes-Ransom Mor-
tuary & Crematory in Astoria is in charge of the
Chuck was in charge of.
The ship also participated in nuclear tests in arrangements.
A rendering of the Facebook data center in Prineville.
Facebook, Pacific Power
team up for renewable
energy credits
By SUZANNE ROIG
The Bulletin
Facebook’s Prineville Data Cen-
ter is being fueled by a partnership
with Pacific Power support, which
fits the mission of building and
operating sustainable centers in the
United States.
Of the 55 new solar and wind
projects Facebook supports across
18 states, 1,033 megawatts are from
projects located in Oregon, Mon-
tana and Utah, including two solar
projects generating 100 megawatts
in Crook County, according to a
Facebook economic impact report
released Tuesday.
‘IT IS CLEAR THAT
RENEWABLE
ENERGy IS
NOT ONLy
GOOd FOR THE
ENVIRONMENT
BuT CREATES
OPPORTuNITIES
FOR BuSINESSES,
PEOPLE ANd
COMMuNITIES.’
Urvi Parekh | head of
renewable energy at Facebook
“We are proud that our com-
mitment to renewable energy has
brought additional investment and
benefits to communities in the U.S.,
including central Oregon,” said
Urvi Parekh, head of renewable
energy at Facebook. “We appre-
ciate the partnership of numerous
utilities, developers and commu-
nity members.
“It is clear that renewable energy
is not only good for the environment
but creates opportunities for busi-
nesses, people and communities.”
In March, the social media giant
announced it would add two new
buildings to its campus in Prineville
that will make it the largest in its
fleet of data centers in the United
States.
The two new buildings will add
900,000 square feet to the campus,
expanding the 11-building cam-
pus to 4.6 million square feet or
the equivalent to nearly 80 football
fields.
“We applaud the data centers for
their commitment to energy effi-
ciency and the use of renewable
energy,” Prineville City Manager
Steve Forrester said in an email.
“Their commitment has resulted in
Crook County and Prineville hav-
ing the largest solar plant farms in
Oregon.”
Prineville has a more robust
power infrastructure in place today
only because of the presence of data
centers, Forrester said. The commu-
nity also benefits. More than 500
high-paying jobs have been created
as a direct result of the data center,
creating the most economic stabil-
ity seen in Crook County since the
height of the timber industry after
World War II, he said.
“The data centers replaced lost
jobs with new industries like tech
and construction and driven our
economy when we needed it most,”
he said.
Data centers are energy-inten-
sive buildings, using large amounts
of electricity to power servers and
cooling equipment, according to
the report.
Generally, they’re built in com-
munities with low land costs, low
and reliable energy and access to
water.
Facebook’s efforts has generated
more than 6 gigawatts of new wind
and solar energy to the grid, creat-
ing over 40,000 jobs, Parekh said.
Through a partnership with
Pacific Power, the Prineville center
purchases renewable energy credits
that the power utility uses to build
and expand wind and solar energy
farms, said Etta Lockey, Pacific
Power vice president for regulation,
customer and community solutions.
The partnership supports Pacific
Power’s renewable energy efforts
that benefit all its customers. The
credits from Facebook will go to
expand and support a wind farm in
Montana, Lockey said.
Prineville Mayor Jason Beebe
said the community talks about the
number of jobs and the resources
used by the data center.
“I know that they are some of
the most efficient data centers in
the world, and as for the jobs, I
believe there are over 300 full-time
positions onsite,” Beebe said in an
email.
Facebook has invested $2 billion
in its Prineville data center, accord-
ing to a company statement. Since
2010, when Facebook announced
the data center, the company has
partnered with Crook County
schools, small businesses and non-
profits and has provided more than
$2.9 million in community grants
and support.
SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA
TODAY
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Paul Linn Weaver
Hamlet
June 4, 1944 — Nov. 23, 2020
Paul Linn Weaver, 76, entered his eternal School.
Paul worked at the Crab Broiler as a teen,
life on Nov. 23, 2020, with family and love all
worked as a logger and went on to drive log
around him.
truck for Waterhouse Logging,
Paul was most known for his
Duffy Larson Logging and J.C. Ben-
clever and charismatic storytelling,
son Logging.
and had a way of capturing his audi-
ence with interesting words, facial
Paul also served on the Seaside
expressions and his wonderful smile.
Volunteer Fire Department from
He offered his voice of reason to
1972 to 1975. He worked for the
difficult situations and used his warm
United Parcel Service for 28 years,
humor to smooth out the inevitable
driving package car in Seaside and
as an occasional feeder driver to Til-
kinks that life brings. He believed
lamook and Portland.
strongly in honoring, building and
He earned several awards for safe
upholding what was best for the fam-
Paul Weaver
ily unit, and believed that, however
driving, but was most known by his
unmistakable smile and, after retir-
painful, problems held a wealth of
ing in 1998, Paul and Cheryl ran their mom and
lessons to be learned.
He was born in Vernonia to Carl Harry and pop business, Little Diggins, doing tractor work
Thelma Louise Weaver. He was raised in Ver- and light hauling for 12 years, and retired again
nonia, where he attended Washington Grade to settle into their life in Hamlet.
Paul was active in the small community and
School before moving to Seaside in 1959.
Paul wrote a column called “Cousin Paul served on the board of directors for both the
Sez” in the high school newspaper, was active in Hamlet Historical Schoolhouse and Commu-
thespians and played football. He was inducted nity Center and the Hamlet Fire Department for
into the Seaside High School Hall of Fame for several years.
Paul loved to camp, fish and spend time
the 1962 Cowapa League football champions
with family, and was “Papa” to his five
years later in 2006.
He graduated from Seaside High School in grandchildren.
Paul and Cheryl were married for 55 years.
1963 and then attended Clatsop Community
College in Astoria. Paul then moved to Sitka, He is survived by Cheryl, his three daughters
Alaska, for work, and returned to Seaside in and their families. He leaves a great legacy, and
December 1964. On May 8, 1965, Paul mar- will truly be missed by many.
A celebration of life will be held June 5 at
ried the love of his life, Cheryl Hart, in Vancou-
ver, Washington, whom he met at Seaside High 2 p.m. at the Hamlet Historical Schoolhouse.
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
REGIONAL FORECAST
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Seattle
57 47
A passing
shower
58 47
61 50
58 47
Low clouds A chance of rain Mostly cloudy
60 47
61 46
61 48
Chance of a
shower
Showers
possible
Chance of a
shower
Aberdeen
Olympia
57/47
62/47
Wenatchee
Tacoma
Moses
Lake
61/43
ALMANAC
UNDER THE SKY
TODAY'S TIDES
Astoria through Tuesday
Tonight’s Sky: First quarter
moon (12:13 p.m.).
Astoria / Port Docks
Temperatures
High/low ................................ 57/44
Normal high/low .................. 61/46
Record high .................. 79 in 1997
Record low .................... 36 in 2003
Precipitation
Tuesday ................................... 0.02”
Month to date ........................ 0.50”
Normal month to date ......... 2.04”
Year to date .......................... 34.68”
Normal year to date ........... 32.08”
Forecasts and graphics provided by
AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021
Time
7:50 a.m.
9:31 p.m.
6.5 2:25 a.m.
6.8 2:52 p.m.
Cape Disappointment
7:31 a.m.
9:15 p.m.
Source: Jim Todd, OMSI
Sunrise today .................. 5:37 a.m.
Sunset tonight ............... 8:47 p.m.
Moonrise today ............. 1:39 p.m.
Moonset today ............... 3:05 a.m.
First
Full
Last
6.2 1:50 a.m.
6.8 2:08 p.m.
3.7
0.7
6.6 2:08 a.m.
7.1 2:29 p.m.
3.6
0.6
6.9 2:09 a.m.
7.3 2:36 p.m.
3.4
0.7
8:27 a.m. 6.8 3:26 a.m.
10:08 p.m. 7.1 3:53 p.m.
2.8
0.6
Hammond
SUN AND MOON
New
7:45 a.m.
9:26 p.m.
Warrenton
7:45 a.m.
9:26 p.m.
Knappa
Depoe Bay
May 19 May 26 June 2 June 10
3.3
0.6
6:43 a.m.
8:30 p.m.
6.1 1:17 a.m.
6.7 1:35 p.m.
3.4
0.3
City
Atlanta
Boston
Chicago
Dallas
Denver
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
Miami
New York City
Phoenix
San Francisco
Wash., DC
Today
Hi/Lo/W
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
81/60/pc
70/59/pc
84/68/pc
78/70/r
81/57/pc
85/72/s
80/71/r
72/57/pc
83/76/pc
78/58/pc
97/73/s
63/49/s
88/59/pc
85/63/s
74/62/pc
86/69/pc
79/69/t
77/56/c
85/72/pc
79/71/t
71/56/pc
83/74/pc
78/61/pc
89/63/pc
64/50/s
88/66/pc
Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy,
c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms,
r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice.
55/44
Hermiston
The Dalles 64/46
Enterprise
Pendleton 49/33
59/43
64/50
La Grande
53/38
60/44
NATIONAL CITIES
High (ft.) Time Low (ft.)
46/36
Kennewick Walla Walla
55/41 Lewiston
63/47
59/46
Salem
Pullman
60/42
Longview
57/47 Portland
60/47
51/40
Yakima 62/44
62/43
Astoria
Spokane
57/45
Corvallis
60/41
Albany
60/42
John Day
Eugene
Bend
60/41
53/36
52/39
Ontario
63/48
Caldwell
Burns
52/34
59/43
Medford
60/43
Klamath Falls
50/31
City
Baker City
Brookings
Ilwaco
Newberg
Newport
Today
Hi/Lo/W
51/37/sh
55/44/pc
55/49/c
62/41/c
51/44/c
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
52/38/sh
58/46/pc
57/46/c
70/43/c
52/45/c
City
North Bend
Roseburg
Seaside
Springfi eld
Vancouver
Today
Hi/Lo/W
55/45/pc
59/44/pc
56/48/c
61/41/pc
62/45/sh
Fri.
Hi/Lo/W
56/47/pc
63/47/c
58/47/c
67/43/sh
70/46/c