Obituaries » Richard G. Rasmussen
Richard G. Rasmussen
May 22, 1936 - May 20, 2022
Join us as we celebrate and give thanks for the life of Richard (Dick) Gene Rasmussen, 85, of Ankeny. He was our beloved husband, father, grandfather and coach. Dick joined our heavenly Father in eternal peace on Friday, May 20, 2022, at Mercy West Hospital in Des Moines, surrounded by family and love.
Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church (517 SW Des Moines St.). A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, also at the church. The memorial service will be livestreamed at the following link: https://bit.ly/htlc-funeral
Dick grew up on a farm and was the youngest of two children born to Victor and Lily Rasmussen of Audubon, Iowa on May 22, 1936. He graduated from Audubon High School and excelled in basketball and track. Dick was a sergeant in the Army from 1954-1957. He served in Germany during peacetime.
Richard married the love of his life, Suzan Gilchrist, in 1959 at Grace Methodist Church in Des Moines. Sue and Dick, or “Red” as she affectionately called him, spent 62 wonderful years together.
Dick attended the Iowa State Teacher’s College, now called the University of Northern Iowa. He graduated with a B.A. in Education and later completed his master’s degree in administration at Drake University.
Dick taught at South Hamilton of Jewell from 1962 – 1972. His illustrious coaching career began in South Hamilton, first as an assistant coach for football, then six on six girls’ basketball, girl’s track, and finished with summer and fall softball.
In 1972, Dick and Sue moved their family to Ankeny. He taught Physical Education at Neveln Junior High and then moved on to teach business classes at Ankeny High School.
Known to be hyper competitive on the field and court with opposing coaches and officials alike, Dick was also dedicated beyond belief to his athletes. He won a state championship in fall softball at South Hamilton, twelve additional state softball championships at Ankeny, and holds the record for Ankeny being the only school to win three six on six state championships.
Dick was very humble about his accomplishments yet amassed a wide variety of awards and accolades: National High School Coach of the Year in both Softball (1986) and Basketball (1993) and was honored to have the Ankeny softball field named the Dick Rasmussen Field in 2014.
He was an active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny. Dick was the head usher for many years. He poured a lot of time and devotion into fundraising to bring the dream of Miracle League Baseball to Ankeny.
Dick loved growing up on a farm, cherished time with his family, and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his sons and grandchildren.
In retirement Dick enjoyed traveling with Sue to Alaska and Europe, spending time at his lake home, fishing, spending time with his grandkids, at home and at their various activities, along with meticulous care of his lawn! Weekly coffee meetings with other retired teachers and cheering on the Hawkeyes, Dodgers and Packers rounded out the rest of his free moments.
Dick is survived by his wife, Sue of Ankeny; sons, Jeff (Elaine) of Cameron, WI, Greg of Ankeny, Brad (Nicolee) of Adel, IA; daughter, Julie of Ankeny; and grandchildren, Matt, Ryan, Taylor, Alisha and Mario.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Rosella; brother-in-law, Lyle Hanson; and brother-in-law Richard Boynton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family.