Mary Rasmussen Obituary

DURHAM — UNH Professor Emerita of Music Mary Helen Rasmussen of Durham, N.H., passed away peacefully at her home on Jan. 26, 2008. She was 77 years old and had suffered from cancer intermittently since 1970.

A true polymath, she was a world renowned expert on the history of musical instruments and their representation in works of art. She was an active cellist and viola da gamba player, and in her youth had been an outstanding performer on the tuba and trombone. She also was a conductor and an enthusiastic promoter of training young people in the performance of chamber and orchestral music, and had developed considerable skill in the repair of stringed instruments. Her scholarly articles and reviews have been published in several distinguished journals.

A recipient of Ford, Guggenheim and Fulbright grants for research, she had lectured at such institutions as Harvard, the University of Wisconsin and Boston University and at meetings of the American Musicological Society and the College Music Society.

Mary was born in Dover, N.H., in 1930, the daughter of Edwin and Florence Rasmussen. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in 1952 and then went on the University of Illinois, receiving a Master of Music in low brass performance in 1953 and a Master of Library Science in 1965. For two years, she taught public school in Gorham, N.H., and was always proud that of the entire music faculty at UNH, she was the only member to have actually taught in the New Hampshire school system. She joined the UNH faculty in 1968 from which she retired in 1997.

Mary's teaching reflected the unusual scope of her interests, and was infused always with her high standards and expectations. She impressed undergraduates with the necessity for developing string programs in public schools, and inspired graduate students by her comprehensive knowledge as a research scholar. She was a passionate advocate for the UNH library. Although music was her passion, Mary was proud of her athletic endeavors, particularly as goalie for the UNH women's field hockey team and as director of the Durham youth tennis program for many years.

She will be remembered as a specially gifted human being exhibiting a rare combination of intense independence, intellectual curiosity, strong opinions vigorously expressed, practical skills, sensitive personal insight, loyalty, neighborliness, and great courage in the face of adversity.

She is survived by her brother, John, his wife, Jane, three nieces and one nephew.

A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. on April 5 at the Durham Community Church. Donations in her honor may be made to the Seacoast Cancer Center of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, N.H., or to the charity of your choice.

Visit the online guest book at www.fosters.com/obits>

Published by Foster's Daily Democrat from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Mary Rasmussen

6 Entries

Heather Robbins

February 10, 2008

It is sad to hear of Mary's passing. She lived life truthfully, proudly following her own drummer. Bibliography class with Mary was thorough, properly challenging, and well tempered with humor; it came complete with a lifetime guarantee (a confident promise) and a wonderful pasta dinner featuring her famous artichoke sauce. Her energy will be missed.

Bob Robbins

February 4, 2008

I played in the New Hampshire Philharmonic when she played trombone. Although it was not recorded in her obituary, the great contribution she made to the development of brass chamber music will always be remembered by the brass players of her time. Her discovery and publishing of baroque brass literature paved the way for the exciting brass quintets that are so popular today.

Kathleen Wilson

February 3, 2008

Mary was a unique spirit and dearly loved. We argued, drank coffee, played piano 4-hands and laughed. I am honored to have been her colleague and friend.

Andrea Bodo

February 1, 2008

I had the great pleasure of playing piano trios with Mary Rasmussen and Margaret Blickle. I also played piano 4 hands with Mary. She was an extraordinary woman with great passion and enthusiasm for sharing her knowledge. She did this with dignity and humor despite the adversities of struggling with health issues.. She was a courageous woman and it was an honor to know her.

Sharon Demeritt

January 31, 2008

It's sad to hear of Mary's passing. Though I only spent one year in the UNH music department, I agree that Mary was very passionate about string programs. She was interesting to talk with, and always had an ear for students questions.
She will surely be missed.
Sharon L Demeritt
UNH Music Maj 76-77

Rebecca Karo

January 31, 2008

We remembered Mary in my art history class as we looked at the musical angels in the Ghent Altarpiece. I told them she was among those angels now complaining about their tempo!

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