Memorial services for 88-year old former Chadron, NE, physician Dr Robert “Ras” Rasmussen of Rapid City, SD, are Sat, April 15, 2023 at 10:30 at Grace Episcopal Church in Chadron.
A lunch will follow at the Country Kitchen in Chadron.
Burial will be at a later date in Exeter, NE.
Condolences may be sent to Carrie Lobato, 4064 Valley West Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702 or online at www.kirkfuneralhome.com.
Memorials may be directed to Grace Episcopal Church or Chadron State College.
Robert H Rasmussen was born Feb 1, 1935, in Exeter, NE, to Bernard and Anna (nee Olsen) Rasmussen. He died April 4, 2023 in Rapid City after a battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“Ras”, as he was known to friends, graduated from Exeter High School in 1953, then Kearney State College (now the University of Nebraska-Kearney) and the University of Nebraska College of Medicine.
It was at Kearney State that he met his future wife, Joellyn Gardner. They were married August 31, 1958 in North Platte, NE. The marriage would produce three children and would last nearly 63 years until Joellyn’s death in August 2021.
After graduating from medical school, Ras came to Chadron, where he practiced medicine as a family physician from 1963 until his retirement in 2000.
He and Dr Robert Penor established Doctors Clinic in Chadron in 1963 and served there together for several years before joining the town’s other family physicians at Chadron Medical Clinic. His fellow doctors, nurses and other medical professionals were a source of friendship, collaboration and mutual support.
Ras delivered hundreds of babies and often got up in the middle of the night to do so or to provide emergency care at Chadron Community Hospital. His patients and their families were very important to him.
He loved the natural beauty of the Pine Ridge area around Chadron, as well as the Black Hills. In Chadron, he enjoyed his many longtime friends, community involvement and serving his patients.
Ras led his family by example, living a life of service to his Lord Jesus and to his neighbors. He was an active member for more than 50 years of Grace Episcopal Church in Chadron, where he served in various leadership roles.
He also served as a longtime member of the Chadron Rotary Club, the Chadron Elks Club and served on the Chadron Public Schools Board of Education. He was a strong supporter of Chadron State College and loved attending Eagle football games. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner.
Ras and Joellyn enjoyed golfing at Ridgeview Country Club near Chadron and spending time at Lake Angostura near Hot Springs, where they owned a cabin. Ras liked to drive his boat while his kids and grandkids skied or rode a tube behind.
Ras and Joellyn also traveled with friends on trips to Colorado, Las Vegas, Hawaii and other locations. In later years, he made many walleye fishing trips with friends and family to Lake Oahe near Pierre, SD.
Ras and Joellyn moved to Rapid City in 2016. They lived near children and grandchildren, residing at the Good Samaritan Society’s St Martin Village until they went to be with Jesus.
Ras is survived by his children Jim (Nanette) Rasmussen of Omaha; Ann (Tim) Hast of Rapid City; and Carrie (Kim) Lobato of Rapid City; brother Gary (Frances) Rasmussen of Vermillion, SD; sister Delores Bailey of York, NE; brother-in-law Brian (Dan) Gardner of North Platte; 8 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Jo; brother Dale; and son William.