We will never forget...
Robert Arthur Rasmussen
Today, I am writing one of the most important posts I will ever do on this blog. I'm am posting it today by request of the originator of the 2,996 tribute. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and their families. Any new posts will be located directly below this post including my story on 9/11.
Today, I am writing one of the most important posts I will ever do on this blog. I'm am posting it today by request of the originator of the 2,996 tribute. My heart and prayers go out to all the victims and their families. Any new posts will be located directly below this post including my story on 9/11.
Now, I am honored and privileged to pay tribute today to Robert Arthur Rasmussen who lost his life on the day we all will never forget Sept. 11, 2001. Robert was born November 14, 1958 in Fargo, North Dakota but grew up in the tiny town of Hunter, N.D. Among many of his accomplishments, Robert graduated from Dakota High School in 1977 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1982. In 1986 Robert married Anna Worner of Fargo, N.D. After living a short time in Boston, MA Robert and his wife moved to Cortlandt Manor, N.Y. He worked for ten years as a construction engineer then eventually took a job with Coopers & Lybrand consulting firm in New York. In an effort to pursue his growing interest in financial analysis Robert took a year off in the mid 1990's and obtained his master's degree in business administration from New York University as a Chartered Financial Analyst. It was later in 1996 that Robert became the regional manager for an investment technology firm, Vestek.In 1999, Robert and his family moved to Hinsdale, IL. which was a short commute to Vestek's Chicago office. However, on September 11, 2001 Robert was on a short business trip to Vestek's New York office in the World Trade Center's south tower. It would be here that Robert Arthur Rasmussen, 42 would never return back home to his family.
After plenty of research we can see that Robert had many accomplishments during the short amount of time he lived but what we will remember most about him is the love he had for his wife Anna Rasmussen of 15 years and their three children, daughter Taylor (7), and his two sons Jack (2 1/2) and Samuel (1 1/2). His wife has been quoted saying that "his children were his life". He was known to participate regularly in the local YMCA’s Indian Princesses program with his daughter Taylor (7) attended weekly Tiny Tots sports program with his son Jack (2 1/2).
Not only was Robert Arthur Rasmussen a family man, but he was an athlete, singer and enjoyed remodeling. He participated in adult softball and basketball leagues, and enjoyed being a member of the choir (with his wife) at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Hinsdale. In addition, Robert and his wife were known to sing duets at weddings, family gatherings and took on home restoration projects. Anna was quoted saying, "he could fix anything".
The last time Anna heard from Robert was when he called her from th 78th floor of the World Trade Center south tower after a plane had hit the north tower to tell her he was OK. The last time Robert was seen was on the 42nd floor landing trying to make his way out with other colleagues from Vestek. He was identified via photo by a survivor.
Robert is survived by his wife Anna, daughter Taylor, and sons Jack and Samuel; his mother Elizabeth (Rev. Jerry) Protextor; brothers Kent (Susan) Rasmussen, and Jonathan Protextor; sisters Rebecca (Todd) Holte, and Katherine (William Drehkoff) Protextor; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert Kent Rasmussen who died of cancer when Robert was just 13.
Memorial donations may be sent to the following fund established for the education of Robert's children:
Robert A. Rasmussen Memorial Trust Fund
c/o Leaders Bank
2001 York Road, Suite 150
Oak Brook, IL. 60523
2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.
We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.
To participate go to:
Sources:
*Paid Notice published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on September 20, 2001.
*Financial Analyst Loved Home -- and Home Improvment
*Harry Wessel - Orlando Sentinel, Sept. 14, 2001
*Sean Hamill, The Chicago Tribune
*http://cf.newsday.com/911/victimsearch.cfm?id=773
*Copyright 2001 Business Wire
9 comments:
Touching tribute T! I'm sure that was hard to write.
Once again, our nation mourns for what was stolen from the Rasmussen family and the other family memebers of 9/11 victims.
Thank you, Theresa, for writing this piece. This is the first story I've heard of someone who wasn't a New Yorker, but was visiting when tragedy struck. (I know several times during 2001 my husband also traveled to NYC to do work at a client near the WTC.)
I pray that the Rasmussen family will be comforted by your words celebrating Robert's life this week.
We lived in North Dakota for 4 years, where two of our children were born. The people there rarely move away, very few move in (it's unbelievably cold in winter) yet they were so warm and welcoming to us. We'll always think fondly of the ND people. Nice tribute to this man who was a victim because he went to work that day, supporting his family. It could have been any of our husbands.
What an amazing tribute. How thoughtful and wonderful of you to share it.
It's a beautiful tribute. Confession here. I don't know if I'm just a big mush or what but every single time I've seen one of the tributes this past week, just looking at the photo made me cry. It's so awful and so sad that this person is gone because the world's gone crazy. Such a senseless way to die.
So now I'm off the throw some cold water on my face.
That was a beautiful tribute, Theresa.
I found your sight through Moms for Modesty and I read where ya'll are trying to move back to Texas and I just wanted to say "Welcome Home" from Waco. :)
What a wonderful tribute!!
Praying
He was featured on CBS the early show this morning.
I TiVo'd it and can probably share it with you somehow. let me know.
wow, thank you for that tribute. It hits close to home, because Cortlandt Manor, NY is not that far from me.
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