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Dr. Kenneth Weare Rasmussen, United States Air Force (retired, Lt. Colonel), greatly loved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, cousin, classmate, and friend died unexpectedly on Monday, August 4, 2008 surrounded in love by his family. Ken, a big man with a big heart, wonderful smile, and infectious laugh, peacefully left this world, nine days short of his eighty-sixth birthday. Born to a Danish father, Grover Rasmussen, and a Swedish mother, Margaret Roberg, in Mapletown, IA, Ken attended schools throughout Iowa. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he dropped out of Drake University and joined the Army Air Corp. He met his future wife, Louise Cribbs, while he was an instructor pilot stationed in Tucson, AZ. This year, Ken and Louise would have celebrated their sixty-first anniversary. While in the Air Force, Ken, Louise, and their two children, Chris and Tege, were stationed in Yokahoma, Japan, Virginia, Tennessee, Newfoundland, and finally Walker AFB in Roswell, where, after 20 years of service, he retired. He completed his undergraduate degree at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, later also receiving his Master's Degree in Adult Education. He and Louise then moved to Hattiesburg, MS, where he earned his Ph.D., also in Adult Education, from the University of Southern Mississippi. Looking for adventure, Ken and Louise then joined the Peace Corps, at the ages of 60 and 62 and traveled to Guatemala. They lived and worked with the community as bee-keepers in that country for two years. Ken and Louise then returned to New Mexico, settling in Albuquerque, where Ken earned the degree of Master Gardener. He performed volunteer work in that area for local nurseries and public schools. In addition to being an expert gardener and tomato-grower, Ken was an avid reader, a one-time champion basketball player, a self-taught chef, a serious fisherman, and a ruthless golfer. He was an active member of the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife, Louise; and their children, Chris Rasmussen and wife, Paula, of Albuquerque, Tege Montmorency and husband, John, of Napa, CA; six grandchildren, Krisha and Jessica of CA, Elena Lenz and husband, Mike, Anna, Ben, and Tessa, all of Albuquerque. He is also survived by a great-grandson, Jakob; brother, Roland Rasmussen and wife, LG, of West DesMoines, IA; various nieces and nephews; and lots of golfing buddies. Private Family Services will be held at a later date. The family suggests memorial donations to St. John's Cathedral Endowment Fund. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
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