Rasmussen

The National Academy of Construction lost one of its charter members with the passing of Donald Maurice Rasmussen at the age of 80 years old.  After his brave battle with Parkinson's disease, Don passed away peacefully in his home on March 10, 2021.  Diagnosed with the disease in 2004, he became a strong advocate for others with the disease as an active participant of the Parkinson’s program at Meadowlark Hills in Manhattan, KS.

Don was born October 23, 1940, in Quinter, Kansas, and grew up on a farm near Mingo, Kansas. Don attended Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. Don and his wife, Bea, were avid Kansas State Wildcats fans and held season football tickets for many years and missed very few games, except when involved in international assignments with Union Carbide Corporation.

Don joined Union Carbide Corporation in the Chemicals Division after graduation. He held various positions starting as a process design engineer, new construction start-up engineer, and project manager, in various sites in the U.S. and abroad. Coupled with people skills, Don’s ability to “plan the work and work the plan” to achieve the desired results, led him into management positions. He was a strong proponent of the development and implementation of “Best Industry Practices” ( as developed by the Construction Industry Institute) in project design and construction.  He retired after 35 years as Director of Engineering and Construction for Union Carbide Corporation.

- Collin Aikman, 2021