Paul T. Rasmussen

Paul Rasmussen devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away at home on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025 surrounded by his children Tod, Sarah, Alicia, and his loving wife, of 59 years, Joan.

Paul was born in New York City on December 5, 1940 and grew up in West Hempstead, Long Island surrounded by many loving aunts, uncles, and grandparents. He was very patient, he said, because he always went on walks with his grandmother and sat while she chatted away with her friends.

Paul graduated from West Hempstead High School where as a teenager he won a science competition. The prize was to fly in a Boeing plane around Long Island which was a big deal in the 1950s! After graduation, Paul attended Hamilton College in Clinton, NY where he majored in biology. He then went on to Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. It was at Columbia where he met Joan out at the Tropical Gardens (the "TG"), phone numbers were exchanged, and the story is he called every night after that. Upon graduation from Columbia, newlyweds Paul and Joan drove across the country on their honeymoon and eventually to collect Paul's orders to serve on active duty. He went on to serve for two years as dentist in the United States Air Force at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois during the Vietnam War. Paul and Joan welcomed their first daughter, Ann, there, and always looked back fondly on their time in the service. They then returned to New York where Paul attended Columbia University for his orthodontic training.

Paul and Joan moved to Schenectady in 1970 where Paul opened his orthodontic practice with help from local orthodontist John Senn. In later years, he opened an additional office in Cobleskill, New York traveling two days a week there. He practiced for more than 40 years retiring in 2014. Paul was active in several orthodontic societies serving as president of the North American Society for the Study of Orthodontics (NASSO). He was also a member of the Upstate Strang Tweed Orthodontic Study Club and the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics. He was active in Calvary Episcopal Church serving on the Vestry and as Senior Warden. In retirement, Paul was in charge of Buildings and Grounds and the restoration of the Church bell tower, west side of the church, and adding insulation to help control heating costs. Paul was a talented gardener who was skilled at color and flower selection resulting in beautiful, abundant flower gardens each

year. Lastly, Paul was a devoted alumnus of Hamilton College attending each reunion and contributing to the livelihood of the College. He was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity and kept up with his freshman year roommate and other classmates their entire lives. His time on College Hill was formative and something he cherished.

Paul and Joan traveled around the US and the world visiting family and friends in Europe, North Africa, and the Virgin Islands. Paul always said the third week of January was the coldest in Schenectady. He always made sure to make his travel arrangements the summer before to ensure their flights to the Islands in January. Though for all of their world travel, Paul always appreciated coming home and said that New York State really had everything: mountains, lakes, and ocean beaches.

Paul and Joan married in 1966 and had four children, Ann, Tod, Sarah, and Alicia. The entire family enjoyed summers at their camp on Galway Lake sailing and kayaking. Paul and local friends, known as "The Powderhounds," traveled yearly to Utah to ski for decades. Paul only recently quit downhill skiing at the age of 83. He also had many friends from the Tuesday Muni Senior Golf League and enjoyed playing golf with other groups as well. In retirement, he especially enjoyed this past time and traveling to visit his children and grandchildren.

Paul is survived by his loving wife, Joan, his son, Tod of Somerville, MA, daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Rajan Eapen of Larkspur, CA, and daughter and son-in-law Alicia and Matthew Weiner of Bethesda, MD. He was predeceased by his daughter, Ann. In addition, Paul is survived by many nieces and nephews and three grandchildren, Levi, Lucia, and Rohin, who loved their grandfather very much.

A memorial service to celebrate Paul's life will be held at Calvary Episcopal Church 85 Lake Hill Road, Burnt Hills, NY at 11 am on Saturday, October 4th. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Calvary Church Restoration Fund.