Colby Eagles Alumni Association
Gordon Rasmussen
Copyright Colby Eagles Alumni Association @ 2014
Nominated by Anonymous
I would like to nominate Mr. Gordon Rasmussen as a 2021 candidate of the CHS Wall of Honor - High Flying Eagles. Mr. Rasmussen was a member of the 1973 graduating class at Colby High School. While growing up in Colby, Mr. Rasmussen was an avid participant in any and every sport available and continued his athletic career at the collegiate level competing in football, wrestling, and track. After graduating from Dana College in Blair, Nebraska, Mr. Rasmussen returned to Colby Schools. In 1977 he started his career there as a teacher and coach. Mr. Rasmussen has taught 25 different subjects. These 25 subjects have been spread across the middle and high school levels of education and range from educating generations of scientists, engineers, and medical personnel in subjects such as biology, physics, and computer competencies. He also has taught vital trade skills such as carpentry to future craftsmen. For the last 43 years Mr. Rasmussen has used his platform as an educator to help mold and prepare thousands of pupils for their next step in life. He was a creative educator in the classroom and even after 20 years, I can still recite parts of a cell due to his clever teaching tactics. In addition to his work as an educator, he has also coached football, wrestling, and cross country at both the middle school and high school levels, as well as having been the high school head track coach most of those 43 years. In his years as a coach, he has sent countless CHS athletes to compete in state championships, many of those have gone on to compete at all collegiate levels. He has helped produce countless individual state placers and champions, numerous team state placers, and secured team state championships. Mr. Rasmussen instilled a hard work ethic, perseverance to overcome obstacles, and a sense of grit in order to excel in both athletics and life. This tutelage provided his pupils with the tools to exceed in the classroom, on the field, and life after CHS as they pursued their own dreams and passions. When asked when he plans to retire, Mr. Rasmussen has often joked that he has taught 2 generations of many families in Colby, but thinks he will stop at the 3rd. In August of 2019, a 3rd generation stepped into his classroom. He knew then it was time. Whether it was sculpting minds in the classroom or teaching his teams and athletes how to break down walls, Mr. Rasmussen has impacted the fabric and culture of CHS for over 4 decades. It is for this lifetime of service to the community of Colby and an entire career dedicated to Colby Schools that I unequivocally believe that Gordon Rasmussen is beyond deserving of induction into the CHS Wall of Honor.
