Charles Rasmussen

Charles ("Charlie") Rasmussen passed away on February 9, 2024 at the age of 80 after a short illness. He was surrounded by his wife of nearly 50 years, Dagmar, and his children, Eric and Raz, listening to some of his favorite music by Al Green and Bob Marley.

Charlie was born on October 28, 1943 to his parents, Charlotte and Ollie Rasmussen, in the San Pedro neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Charlie's parents were labor organizers and he learned from them to stand up for civil rights and peace. Charlie was fortunate to grow up with a close-knit group of friends with whom he stayed close his entire life.

Charlie worked for social change throughout his life. While studying at Los Angeles Harbor College in the 1960s, he and his friends established a multiracial youth center. Later, Charlie moved to San Francisco, California to attend San Francisco State University, where he was a leader in the Students for a Democratic Society during a campus-wide strike (led by the Black Students Union and The Third World Liberation Front) to successfully establish an ethnic studies department.

Charlie moved to Boston in 1971 and quickly became a part of the community, meeting his wife Dagmar and a wide circle of friends. Dagmar and Charlie married in 1977. Charlie became an EMT and served as a union steward in the EMT union. In the early 80s, he decided to follow his youthful ambitions and pursue a career in broadcasting. From 1985 To 1999, Charlie ran Neighborhood Network News, where he mentored generations of communications students and young journalists, told the stories of Boston's neighborhoods, and built relationships with everyone from community members to mayors. In 1999, Charlie switched gears again, becoming the Communications Director for Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, Tom Finneran. Charlie was never afraid to jump into the unknown, and he loved the energy and excitement of working in politics. Charlie's last chapter of his career was spent working for the Massachusetts Nurses Association, traveling all over the state to strategize with and support nurses during strikes and negotiations.

As much as Charlie loved his activism and work, his greatest joys were his family, friends, and hobbies. He was a devoted husband, equal partner, and best friend to his wife Dagmar for almost 50 years. They shared their joys, pains, and the day-to-day business of life with love and mutual respect. Their children remember them ending every disagreement with laughter.

Charlie was a fun, loving, and proud dad, enjoying long conversations about politics, sports, and pop culture with his kids, and bragging about their accomplishments to others. He was a fun and loyal friend, who could be the life of the party while also there to lend a sympathetic ear. Most recently, he became the epitome of a doting "Gramps" to his two grandchildren.

He was an avid cyclist (a hobby he took up in his 40s), often biking the Blue Hills, and an equally avid Patriots and Red Sox fan. He loved to read, and listen to live music.

Charlie will be deeply missed by so many - the mark of a life well-lived.

He is predeceased by his parents, Charlotte and Ollie Rasmussen, his sister, Mary Thea Smelcer, and his nephew, Vincent Smelcer. He is survived by his wife, Dagmar Pollex; children, Eric Pollex Rasmussen and Raz Pollex; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ferguson; grandchildren, Clare and Evan Rasmussen; and nephew Matthew Smelcer. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center or Jobs with Justice.