Obituary
Dale Allen Rasmussen was welcomed into the Lord’s arms on Thursday, February 8th at his home in Sandy, surrounded by his family. He had been battling Glioblastoma for the past three years. Dale was born to Joan and Richard Rasmussen on November 5th,1963 in Portland, Oregon. He attended Orient Elementary School before moving to Sandy where he attended Sandy Grade School, Cedar Ridge Junior High, and Sandy High School (Go Pioneers!)
Dale attended Oregon State to play football before attending Western Culinary Institute where he was in the 1st graduating class. He worked as a chef at several local restaurants before becoming the executive chef at The Resort at the Mountain for over 20 years, where he was well known for his Sunday brunches and holiday dinners. Dale was involved with Bite of Oregon, Wild About Game, Oregon Culinary Tourism Association, and the Mt. Hood Tourism Task Force. He was not only a well-known chef on Mt.Hood, but also across the region. After his career at The Resort, Dale worked as the general manager at U.S. Meat and Restaurant Supply where, in typical Dale fashion, he made sure that the operations ran
smoothly from the smallest detail to the biggest problems. The well being of his staff was always one of his top priorities. He was, simply, a “Fixer.” Timberline Meats would not exist without Dale’s vision and passion for bringing a quality meat market to Sandy. Dale ran both U.S. Meats and Timberline Meat up until his diagnosis in December of 2020. After his diagnosis, he was a volunteer coach at Super Throwers Track Club.
It was at The Resort at the Mountain that Dale met the love of his life, Kathy, who worked at the front desk. She thought he was cute and liked his truck, he liked her smile, and the rest is history. Dale and Kathy were married February 26th, 1994 and welcomed Kyle Riley in 1997 and Keeley Ann in 2000. Dale was devoted to the Boy Scouts. As a youth, he was a member of Pack 248 and Troop 662 where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He worked as a Boy Scout camp counselor in high school where he was famous for his cinnamon rolls and the fact that he willingly loved to work in the kitchen. When Kyle joined Cub Scouts, Dale became a Pack and Troop leader for the same Pack and Troop that he had been a
member of as a boy. He helped Kyle and countless other boys find a purpose and love of the principles that the Scouts stood for. Kyle earned his Eagle Scout rank, and is the responsible, selfless, hardworking, generous, caretaker that he is because of Dale’s influence.
Dale had been a lifelong athlete beginning with Little League, and then continuing with football and track through high school. There wasn’t a sport he didn’t enjoy, and became a central figure in coaching when Kyle and Keeley became old enough to participate in sports. Dale and Kyle shared a special love of football, and he was passionate about Keeley following in his footsteps as a thrower when she joined a local track club in kindergarten. His children’s athletic destiny was predetermined before they were born with Dale as their Dad. In middle school, Keeley began
throwing for the Super Throwers Track Club in addition to her school throwing. Dale embraced the higher level throwing culture and volunteered at every meet - indoors and outdoors - as a coach, mentor, and boots on the ground assistant. Keeley’s collegiate throwing career was a highlight in his life the past four years. It is through Dale she is the outgoing, humorous, strong, and the loving person that she is.
In addition to being an amazing caretaker of his family, Dale and Kathy loved camping, hiking and all things outdoors. Their road trip “adventures,” highlighted his patience, and put his Boy Scout skills to the test on more than one occasion. His cooking for large crowds and his outstanding barbeque skills are known far and wide. Dale never lived far from his mother, Joan Rasmussen, and he was an ever present help in her life in every way imaginable. Joan and Richard set the example for the way he loved and lived everyday.
The twinkle in his eye, his smile, and the love and generosity he showed every person who knew him is irreplaceable. Dale truly loved “his people,” and made every person within his circle feel like they were important. From the children he cheered on, to the doctors and nurses that cared for him over the past three years, there wasn’t a person who made others feel more appreciated than Dale.
He is survived by his wife Kathy whom he adored, his son Kyle and daughter Keeley whom he could not have been more proud of. Dale is also survived by his mother Joan (John), sister Cindy Schmidt (Dave), his 4-legged snuggle buddy Ranger, and countless relatives and friends whom he considered family. He was preceded in death by his father Richard (1999).
Details regarding a summer celebration of Dale’s life will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Hood Hospice.
No one fought harder or lived bigger than Big D. May we all live and love like Dale.