Richard H. Rasmussen

April 2, 1927 - May 27, 2013

Coronado, California

Memorial Day will eternally have a new special meaning for many of us. Richard Harold Rasmussen, a flight officer in the US Military, an innovator in the electronic business world, and an active participant in the Coronado community, died suddenly but peacefully on May 27, 2013. Dick enjoyed a long and healthy life and will be missed by all whose lives he touched. Dick is survived by a wonderful wife Gloria, two sisters Evelyn and Karen, three children Mondie, Rick and Robert, five grandchildren Anna, Dane, Jacob, Justin and Matthew, and two great-grandchildren Ava and Lili. Those preceding him in death are Claudie, his wife of 56 years, and his daughter Lise.

Dick was born on April 2, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois and was the only son to Danish-born Edward Carl Rasmussen and Helen Jones of DeSoto, Illinois. When Dick was 13, the family relocated to the Panama Canal Zone to support the construction of US military bases and Hospitals in the region. Dick attended Balboa High School where he excelled in sciences, particularly chemistry, and also spent some good times fishing. As WW II began to rage, Dick felt a patriotic calling to serve his country. After forging his parents’ signatures, he enlisted in the US Navy and shipped off to Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Waukegan, IL.

But flying was Dick’s dream; and after a year or two of honorable service as an enlisted man, dedication, studying, and testing granted him acceptance into a special flight training program that allowed him to attend the US Naval Academy and join the Aviation ranks. While at Annapolis, Dick met Claudie Mermod, daughter of a local surgeon. They married immediately upon his graduation in 1951. In order to forego three years of sea duty prior to flight school, Dick took advantage of a program that allowed him to enter into the USAF (formerly the US Army Air Corps). Dick flew B-29 and B-50 heavy bombers, and his tour of duty included bases in Oklahoma, Texas, and was highlighted by an assignment with the Strategic Air Command in Germany. With a third child on the way, Dick decided to join the reserves and move his family to California to pursue a career in the blossoming electronic industry.

Dick’s first job was as an engineer with Hewlett-Packard. While there he earned his MBA at Stanford Business School; and after several years at HP he and several of his teammates left with great blessings from Dave Packard to start their own electronics company. In 1992, Dick and his partners sold Pacific Measurements, Inc to WaveTek, Inc of San Diego, CA; and Dick tried his hand at retirement. He bought a 63-foot Hinckley and embarked on a Trans-Pacific sail with several friends. By the time he arrived in Queensland, Australia, Dick realized that he missed the challenges of the business world.

Dick and several of his former business partners re-united to revive OSI Security Devices, a struggling security-manufacturing company. They eventually relocated the company to San Diego and added to their team. After 17 years of hard work, Dick and his partners sold this once-small company to Stanley Security Solutions. In 2007, Dick finally retired.

In 2008, Dick and Gloria McLaughlin were married and together they enjoyed his retirement years sailing, going to the opera, traveling abroad, and spending time with family and friends. Dick, you will be missed by all!

Funeral Mass will be on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 - 10 a.m. at St. Joseph Cathedral. Burial and Military Honors will follow the Mass at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in San Diego, California.

Richard was much loved and will be deeply missed.

Blessed are those who have died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.

Eternal rest grant unto Richard, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

May his soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, Rest in Peace. Amen.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

II Timothy 4:7-8