Bruce Rasmussen

(Bio prepared by the Committee for 2017 TJ Hall of Fame Induction)

Born and raised in Council Bluffs, Bruce attended Rue Elementary, Wilson Junior High, and Thomas Jefferson High School.  At TJ, Bruce was a standout baseball player and was a 1971 Iowa State Bowling Champion. Bruce graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in Engineering Operations.  While in Ames, he was a four-year letter winner in baseball and went from walk-on to an All-Big 8 Conference selection as a pitcher.  He was also a member and president of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

After college, he returned to Council Bluffs to join his father, Erven, in the family heating and air conditioning business. Starting as a father and son operation in the family basement, Rasmussen Mechanical Services has grown to become a 200+ member team with operations servicing much of the Midwest, with seven facilities in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Colorado, and Missouri. During his career, he has also owned and operated a boat hoist manufacturing business in Okoboji, Fit 4 Life; a large fitness and wellness center located in the Manawa Power Center, and has developed the nearby retail outlet center, Power Plaza.

His  community contributions include: Executive Board and Board Chair for the Council Bluffs Chamber of Commerce; Council Bluffs Ambassadors;  Council Bluffs YMCA, Board of Directors; Former President and an inaugural member of the Midday Optimist Club; Lieutenant Governor, Optimist Iowa District; Lutheran Family Social Services Wine and Wicker Event Chairperson; Alegent Mercy Medical Charitable Council; Pottawattamie County Community Foundation Investment Committee; youth basketball and baseball coach; and active member of St. John’s Lutheran Church.  Bruce was named the 2006 Daily Nonpareil Person of the Year.   In 2016, Council Bluffs Schools named the new baseball field at the Council Athletic Complex, Bruce Rasmussen Field. He is also active in many professional organizations.

Bruce and his wife Joni have been married for forty years. They have two children Brian Rasmussen and Beth Shain Rasmussen, and six grandchildren.  Bruce is an avid golfer who also enjoys boating and spending time on the lake.