Dudley C. Backup, emergency physician

Dudley C. Backup, 60, of West Chester, an emergency medicine specialist for 30 years, died Sunday, Nov. 2, at Neighborhood Hospice of brain injuries he suffered in a Nov. 9, 2013, bicycling accident.

Before his accident, Dr. Backup was a respected emergency medicine physician at Chester County Hospital. He was educated at Germantown Friends School, Swarthmore College, and Hahnemann Medical College.

"He made the emergency department come alive with his spirit, good nature, distinctive laugh, goofy socks, and gaudy holiday attire," the nursing staff told his family. "He accepted everyone, regardless of their title or background, and gave both coworkers and patients his uninterrupted attention."

Raised in Philadelphia, Dr. Backup was married for 33 years to Mary Jane Rogan. The two raised their family in West Chester.

Known for his love of the outdoors, Dr. Backup spent much of his free time bicycling with the West Chester Cycling Club. He even rode his bike to work.

He also enjoyed traveling and hiked in the White Mountains. On seven occasions, he visited Antarctica while working as a physician for a small adventure-cruise company, and he took a family member or friend with him. He was passionate about his work, animals, and family, his wife said.

Life changed abruptly for Dr. Backup last November. Riding downhill with a group of cyclists in rural Chester County, Dr. Backup lost control of his bicycle for an instant and fell off, hitting the road. His helmet was no match for the force of the impact, his wife said. He suffered traumatic brain damage that left him requiring full-time nursing care.

He went to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, Wellington at Hershey's Mill, and Barclay Friends. After developing seizures in October, Dr. Backup was treated by his colleagues in the emergency room at Chester County Hospital. He spent his last two weeks at Neighborhood Hospice in West Chester, where family and friends visited.

His final gift to his family, written in 2009, was a clear directive on how he should be cared for if his physical or cognitive condition ever deteriorated. Those directives were followed as he had wished.

"It is a gift because we didn't have to wonder," his wife said.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Benjamin; daughters Elizabeth and Laura; his mother, Wanda Videen Backup; a brother; a sister; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, in the Westtown Friends Meetinghouse on the campus of the Westtown School, 215 Friends Meeting Lane, West Chester. Burial is private.

Donations may be made to the Appalachian Mountain Club via www.outdoors.org/donations; Doctors Without Borders via www.doctorswithoutborders.org; or Francisvale Home for Smaller Animals via http://francisvalehome.org.