David Rasmussen

David Tab Rasmussen, son of David I. and Deon R. Rasmussen of Ogden, Utah died on August 7, 2014 at his home in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Tab was born in Salt Lake City June 17, 1958 and grew up in Tempe, Arizona where he graduated from McClintock High School in 1976. He earned a bachelor's of science degree from Colorado College in Colorado Springs in 1980 and a PhD in physical anthropology from Duke University in 1986.
After serving as a visiting professor at Rice University in Houston and an assistant professor at UCLA, in 1991 he joined the faculty of the Department of Anthropology at Washington University in St. Louis, becoming a full professor in 2001.
Tab was known as an exceptional teacher and mentor. He was highly recognized as a physical anthropologist specializing in paleontology and behavioral ecology.
Tab conducted field research in Utah's Uintah Basin as well as sites around the world including Egypt, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya, Costa Rica and Brazil.
It was while growing up and exploring the Sonoran Desert of Arizona that he developed respect for native cultures and an interest in biological diversity that lasted throughout his life.
He is survived by his parents and three siblings; sister Jan of Ogden, brother Brian Daniel (Eileen Brown) of Boulder, Colorado, and sister Lora Rasmussen (Dean Buchser) of Talent, Oregon.
He was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, D. Irvin and Fern Rasmussen. The family would like to give special appreciation to his wife of thirteen years, Jennifer Rehg.
A Celebration of Tab's Life was held at the Ogden Nature Center on August 16, 2014.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:
Special Needs Programs:
Developmental Training Systems, Inc. (DTSI) 433 S. Stewart Dr. Ogden, UT 84404 (Tab's sister is a client) or the Arc of Tempe, P.O. Box 26014, Tempe, AZ 85285
Or to Worldwide Primate Conservation Programs: Primates Peru (www.primatesperu.org); Primate Conservation, Inc. (www.primate.org).