The Steve Rasmusson Memorial Scholarship was established after Steve’s death in 2008 by Diane Rasmusson and her friends and family. Steve and Diane both graduated from W. F. West (1962 and 1965) and Steve went on to Tacoma Vocational School (now Bates) and completed the Structural Detailing Program. Steve and Diane were married in 1966, and lived in Seattle, Enumclaw and Spokane before moving back to Chehalis in 1968. They both appreciated the benefits and support of living in this community and always felt a great need to pay it forward. Steve was an artist and enjoyed that gift all his life. He went from model building to pin striping to custom paint projects on motorcycles and helmets. He was a cartoonist, a sign maker, a woodworker, a duck carver, and he built fishing rods. Reading was enjoyment for him every day and all projects were researched thoroughly. Family and friends were the recipients of many of his handmade treasures. In addition, he donated several of his realistic hand carved ducks as well as several fishing rods to auction events held locally.
Steve was all about people, and if you were his friend, it was forever. He had a wicked sense of humor and his storytelling is legendary. He embraced the concept of a hand up not a hand out and had no tolerance for dishonesty. He believed in circling the wagons for everyone who was willing to do the same when and if they got the chance.