Steve R. Rasmussen

Steve Richard Rasmussen, 90, passed away at his home on March 11, 2018, with Margaret, his loving wife of 44 years, at his side. He was born on Sept. 12, 192 in Chino, California. He graduated from San Diego High School and joined the US Army, where he served during World War II and immediately after the war in Japan as part of the US Occupational Forces. He married Jane Carol Smith in 1945. They had three children, Patrick, Jill and Susan. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah and taught school in La Sal, Utah. Moving his family to Henderson, Nevada, he taught science at Las Vegas High School. He completed a Master’s Degree in physics from Oregon State University, then taught physics at Corvallis High School from 1956 to 1971. While there, he went on a sabbatical to Denmark in 1968-1969 for the Danish Teacher’s Institute, helping the Danish physics teachers to learn more effective teaching methods. In 1971, he moved to Linn Benton Community College to teach physics. After 22 years at LBCC he retired in 1993. He married Margaret Fay Hartell in 1974. Steve received the Distinguished Faculty Award from LBCC. He was active in the American Optical Society, and in the American Association of Physics Teachers. He was a member of the Elks Lodge for 38 years. He had a bright and lively mind and many interests, and was constantly reading and learning. He was a ham radio operator, enjoyed being a pilot, and loved the outdoors. He sailed, camped, gardened, and enjoyed birdwatching. He did beautiful cabinetry and woodwork and built the two houses in Corvallis he and his family lived in. He learned to cast metal and silver and made many lovely pieces of jewelry. He loved listening to classical music and the golden oldies of his generation. He was a dedicated teacher and maintained lifetime contact with many of his students. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Marie Zint; father, Oscar Lund Rasmussen; and sister, June Kathryn R. Cox. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Fay Hartell Rasmussen; children, Patrick (Eileen) Rasmussen, Jill Rasmussen, and Susan (Stanford) Young; grandchildren, Danielle, Shadrach, Hiram, Matthew, Seth, Katrina, and Forrest; nine great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was generous and loving to his family and was so proud of their accomplishments. His funeral will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1205 Walnut Blvd., Corvallis. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the church In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity.

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Steve R. Rasmussen

September 12, 1927 - March 11, 2018