Robert N Rasmus

Rasmus, 93, who lived in Glencoe, died of natural causes in Evanston Hospital on Nov. 30 2018, according to his son, John. Rasmus grew up in the Andersonville neighborhood of Chicago. After graduating from Senn High School, he began engineering studies at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign. His father, Walter E. Rasmus was at one time chief engineer for the city of Chicago. He returned home from WWII to finish his undergraduate engineering studies at the University of Illinois before going on to Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., for a master’s degree in the field. Rasmus worked in manufacturing jobs for companies including Johnson & Johnson and Armour Co. before joining Masonite in 1957. In 1977, he was promoted to president and CEO of the company. Rasmus retired from Masonite in 1985. He then put his management expertise to work as a board member with Brunswick Corp., Wausau Insurance, James Avery Craftsman and the Brookfield Zoo. At jewelry maker James Avery, the relationship was more than just business. Rasmus was married to James Avery’s sister. His wife of 58 years, Annette, died in 2010. Rasmus is also survived by his son John, another son, Richard; and five granddaughters.