Remembering Randy Rasmussen
Randy Rasmussen, binding specialist at the Chester Fritz Library, Grand Forks, N.D., died Saturday, Dec. 19, in his home. He was 67.
Randy Rasmussen grew up in Towner, N.D. After graduating from high school, he followed his sister to the University of North Dakota, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English. He was a teaching assistant and worked at the UND Bookstore.
In 1999, he found a new home at Chester Fritz Library.
“I love books,” he said, “what a better place to work than a library?” Randy wrote four published books related to films, another of his interests. He thought that UND’s Writers Workshops were gems. He left behind several notebooks filled with ideas on what he planned to write. He just didn’t have enough time to do it all.
“Randy was the person everyone knew in the Chester Fritz Library – and everyone liked,” said Stephanie Walker, Dean of Libraries & Information Resources. “He was truly a wonderful person. He started here in the all-print days, and grew with the Library, his job changing over time. Among other things, Randy cared for our physical collections. Generations of grad students met Randy when he’d ensure their theses and dissertations were carefully bound and submitted to the Archives; recently, he helped ensure the compact shelving that now houses many important collections was perfect. He helped move collections almost endlessly, as we undertook to stay in the Library and keep it open while renovating. Randy was also a published author and film critic, and we’re adding his works to the UND Scholarly Commons (see examples here and here). Randy will be much missed.”
Randy would not miss, if possible, plays, recitals, and concerts presented by the University or the city. All of them are gems in Grand Forks and he felt fortunate to live here. Music gave him such pleasure and peace. He took a book and a different set of CDs to every treatment at the Cancer Center. In the end only music worked. He passed away of leukemia Dec. 19. He was a kind, intelligent, interesting man.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents Vi and Loren Rasmussen and survived by his sister Terri and brother-in-law Bernie Mickelson and his many gracious friends and colleagues at Chester Fritz Library. Randy’s family cannot thank them enough for the comfort and care they gave him until the end. He absolutely loved working with all of them and they felt the same about him.
Per his request, no services will be held.
Memorials may be sent to:
The UND Music Department
Hughes Fine Arts Building
3350 Campus Rod Stop 7125
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Burtness Theater
218 Centennial Rd. Stop
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Grand Forks Symphony
3350 Campus Rd Stop
Grand Forks, ND 58202
Or any gem you enjoy where you live, remembering Randy’s quick wit, quiet strength, and bravery.
Arrangements by Amundson Funeral Home.
