
This is my first Blog ever. I hope I am doing it correctly. Kris, who is the wife of James Rasmusson
wrote me the sad news of James passing away June 20th. He has been a very long time friend
and I will miss him very much as those of you who know him will also. Blessings, Connie
~Obituary~
James Keith Rasmusson passed away Monday, June 20th at his home in Holland, MI. He was born February 14, 1944 in Lansing, MI, to William and Mary Jane Rasmusson. Survived by his wife of 24 years, Kristina; his brother Thomas Rasmusson (Alice), from Lansing; and his sister Marilyn Rasmusson, from Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Jim was loving father to Xeno Rasmusson (Laura), San Ramon, CA, and step-father to Justin Wood (Lilita), Chico, CA, Mira Conklin (Eric), Portland, OR, and Rose Mary Wood, Lansing, MI. He loved his two grandsons dearly, Justin Castorena and Augustine Conklin.
Jim was a unique, multi-talented, unforgettable person. He won many awards for his fine-art photography, was a prolific writer, award winning and published poet, punster, wordsmith, and singer. He took 3rd place in the National Collegiate Champion Weight Lifting when at MSU. Jim was an inventor, engineer, machinist, and certified orthotist/prosthetist. He currently supervised the engineering lab at Grand Valley State University and was known to be patient, caring, and always looking for ways to contribute to the engineering students. He was an unassuming, and humble man with a unique sense of humor. Relatives and friends are invited to a memorial which will be held in Jim’s honor August 13th at 4pm, at Holland Arts Council, 150 E. 8th St, Holland, MI
His art can be viewed at fineartamerica.com. Below, is a poem from Jim’s book, At the Podium of the Heart
Charity
Work for the good of the World Fellowship
Laugh so a heavy heart can be lightened
Weep for the passing of a great soul
Dance for the coming of a New Age
Eat to sustain the holy temple
Play so that others may enjoy
Learn from the book of life
Search with a humble heart
Live in the living present
Pray for the Grace of God
Fight for those who can’t
Lift your fallen brother
Soar above the albatross
Hear the Inner Voice
Speak the truth
Serve others
Love
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Ascetic
Between the stillness and the calm
lay the hair-thin crevice that led him
to the Music of the Silence.
His tears were the blood of a fallen tree
his voice
the ripples of a morning pond.
Across the freshly fallen snow he walked
his bare feet
leaving no imprint.
--James Rasmusson