Douglas J. Rasmussen, 64, of Edgecomb, died June 14 at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, from complications due to cancer. He was born in Sioux Falls, S.D. on March 2, 1946.
Doug was an athlete, scholar, soldier, and teacher; husband, father, and grandfather and a leader in each of those roles. He began his academic career at the University of Connecticut, where he had the dubious distinction of being on academic and social probation at the same time (he liked to deliver pizza to the second floor of the girls’ dorm on his motorcycle). He was more interested in training for the state judo championship and attending Kurosawa film festivals in New York than in 101 courses at that time. He left the university and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a Special Operations Officer, with two combat tours in Asia, and was retired with the rank of Captain in 1971 due to service related disabilities. His military decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Bronze Star, among others.
Doug received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of South Dakota and conducted doctoral work in Buddhist Studies at the University of Wisconsin. A fluent speaker of Mandarin Chinese, Doug spent a distinguished 22 year career with the Operations Directorate at the Central Intelligence Agency, for which he was honored with the Intelligence Commendation Medal, the Donovan Award, the Studeman Award for Excellence, and the Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal. Doug was a much admired leader and mentor for many in the intelligence community. After retiring from public service, Doug was the founder and CEO of Dynaton Group, LLC, a security consulting company in Edgecomb.
Doug was a frequent and seasoned traveler who loved art, food, and architecture from around the world. He enjoyed driving sports cars and had a soft spot for kids and dogs. A voracious reader, he became a self-taught Renaissance man.
He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Colleen (Lyons) Rasmussen; sister, Dawn Nye; son, Daniel daughter-in-law, Inbal, and granddaughter Kaila; son Jamie and daughter-in-law Marlene; and son Luke, daughter-in-law Sarah, and grandson Aidan.
Family gathering will be held next weekend to celebrate his life. Doug requested no other services.
The family requests that those wishing to honor Doug make a memorial contribution to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, which provides scholarships and counseling to the surviving children of special operations personnel, P.O. Box 13483, Tampa, FL 33681-3483. CFC # 11455, www.specialops.org.
Condolences for the family may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
