Bernard B. “Barney” Rasmussen peacefully passed away on January 11, 2019 surrounded by his family at the age of 89.
Barney was a husband, father, grandfather, rancher, collector and builder of things including his log cabin at Topaz Lake.
Barney was born in Sugar City, Idaho to Wells and Margurite Rasmussen and was the oldest of five children. He spent his early years in northern California before settling in Sparks, Nevada where he graduated from Sparks High School.
Barney worked for the railroad in Northern Nevada before serving in the Air National Guard. Barney retired as an Outside Plant Engineer from Nevada Bell Telephone Company after 30 plus years. He proudly lived in West Washoe Valley for 52 years where he raised his family on a small ranch.
He loved hunting, fishing, gardening and ranching. He was a carpenter, plumber, electrician, welder and mechanic around the ranch and was able to build, fix or repair anything; no job was too hard to tackle. He was always active in the community and a member of the Kiwanis Club, Elk’s Lodge, West Washoe Association and Washoe Valley Volunteer Fire Department.
Barney loved his family and was active with the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, was a youth city league basketball and baseball coach, and loved mentoring his sons in 4H. Through his leadership and example, he was proud to watch both sons become Eagle Scouts, and have successful careers in the USAF and Fire service respectively. He was a friend and mentor to many and he will be missed.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister.
He is survived by Elaine, his wife of 65 years; sons, Steve (Kathy) of Washoe Valley; Scott (Lisa) of Minden; grandsons, Dane and Eric; and brother Wells.
A memorial service will be held at Walton’s Chapel of the Valley, 1281 N. Roop Street, in Carson City on Monday, January 21, 2019 at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation in memory of Barney to the North Valley Community Foundation, www.nvcf.org, helping people displaced by the Camp Fire near Paradise CA.
