HAPPY CAMP, Calif. – David Norman Rasmussen passed away at home on Jan. 26, 2017, after a long battle with cancer and heart disease.

Born on Oct. 11, 1947, in Custer, South Dakota, to Crofford and Blanche Rasmussen, he was the third of six children. Shortly after his birth his family relocated to the Pacific Northwest.

He joined the United States Army at the young age of 17, serving as a paratrooper and ranger in numerous countries from 1966 to 1968 and as a member of the Army Reserve from 1969 to 1972.

Upon his honorable discharge, David moved to Happy Camp, Calif., to work in the logging industry with his father where he met Connie Marie Zink. They wed in 1968 and had three sons.

David had a long, successful career in the United States Forest Service, serving nine different National Forests throughout California and Oregon in resources, fuels, wildland fire suppression and law enforcement.

David was a loving, devoted father, husband, and grandfather. Throughout his life he continuously served his family and local communities as a youth baseball coach, hunter safety instructor, school board member, reserve deputy sheriff, fireman and EMT.

He gained three beautiful daughters when his sons wed and had eight grandchildren with whom he loved spending time.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Gregory; and sister, Phyllis.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Connie; his sons, David Bradley (Karyn) of Lakeport, Jason Hans (Veronica) of Happy Camp, and Ryan Paul (Denege) of Redwood City; his grandchildren, Craig, Stephanie, Savannah, Meranda, Jordan, Chaance, Joshua and Joseph; and his sisters, Josie Asche and Paula Diggle.

Services will be held Friday, Feb. 3, at the Happy Camp Grange Hall at 11 a.m. followed by a military honors graveside service at Happy Camp Cemetery at 12 p.m. A reception will follow at the Happy Camp Grange Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Happy Camp Volunteer Ambulance, P.O. Box 596, Happy Camp, CA, or Happy Camp Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 189, Happy Camp, CA.

Girdner Funeral Chapel is serving the family, and online condolences may be made at www.girdnerfuneralchapel.com .