Jeffrey Scott Rasmussen

Jeffrey Scott Rasmussen, of Bend, Oregon, died peacefully in his sleep on June 24, 2025, from complications resulting from the brain cancer he battled valiantly since 2012.  He is survived by his devoted son and daughter-in-law, Christopher and Genevieve Rasmussen, and many extended family members.

Nicknamed “The Rhino” by his doctors for his resistance to sedatives and his unwillingness to give up after an early diagnosis of glioblastoma, Jeff broke all the odds and went on to live joyfully for thirteen more years. He climbed  mountains all over the world – Mt. Whitney (California), Mt. Rainer (Washington), Aconcagua, (South America), Kilimanjaro (Africa), Mt. Elbrus (Europe), Mt. Kosciuszko (Australia). His goal was to climb the “Seven Summits” and he completed four out of the seven. He embraced and learned the culture of each country he visited. Jeff was determined to approach life with brain cancer like the Iron Man triathlons he also participated in – with determination, courage and grit.

On a visit with his son in Bend in 2019, Jeff found his brain cancer had returned. Again he did not give up, proceeding with multiple brain surgeries, chemo and physical therapy, all the while maintaining a cheerful and positive outlook on life. Some may have seen him cruising around town on his 3-wheel blue bicycle visiting his “regular spots”. He made many new friends in Oregon among the medical community at St. Charles, his son’s coworkers at Bend Heating and Sheet Metal, his faith community at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Juniper Recreation Center, Partners in Care Hospice/Palliative Care and the caregivers at Regency Skilled Nursing and Brookside Assisted Living. He went on many adventures with his family and loved the beach and mountains. Jeff’s zest for life and unflagging sense of humor touched all who knew him. His motto always was, “I would rather die trying”. He lived his life to the fullest and didn’t take a single day for granted. 

Born in Seattle, Washington to Margaret “Peggy” and Richard Rasmussen, Jeff grew up in Colorado. He attended UCI Irvine University, Saddleback Community College, San Diego State and Cal State Fullerton all while working a grocery store at nights so he could juggle school, parenting and work. He spent much of his career in banking and finance. He also received his California Realtors License after another brain surgery in 2020. He is the proud inventor of Kraffee LLC, a coffee product Jeff developed and designed to give you a “Feel Good Brew” with natural ingredients incorporated from his world travels. 

Jeff raised his son in Orange County, CA and was an amazing father. They addressed each other as “Hey Kid”  and had a unique way of talking, almost their own language. Jeff said his proudest achievements included being a Dad to Chris, a groomsman in his son’s wedding and making it to 60 despite the odds stacked against him.

As Jeff would say, “It's easy to grin when your ship comes in, and you've got the stock market beat. But the man worthwhile, is the man who can smile, when his shorts are too tight in the seat." -Caddyshack

Please join us to celebrate “The Man, The Myth, The Legend, The Rhino!” Pop in for a drink at The Hideaway Bend. The outside patio will be reserved at his favorite watering hole (first round’s on us!). If you can’t make it, friends near and far please raise a glass in Jeff’s honor. His fav drinks are a margarita/mock or not and iced coffee. We will also be flying to Colorado to honor Jeff at "Garden of the Gods" in the coming weeks. Thanks! Chris & Genna Rasmussen

Location: The Hideaway Bend 

Address: 939 SE 2nd St. Bend, OR 97702 

Date: Wednesday, July 9th

Time: 4:30pm-7:30pm 

Donations can be made in Jeff’s name to Partners in Care Hospice in Bend, Oregon (Donations Bend Oregon | Hospice Donations | Nonprofit Donations). 

Additional articles about Jeffrey can be found here: 

Family surprises brain surgery patient at St. Charles Bend - KTVZ

From the Wheelchair to the Mountaintop | The Source Weekly - Bend, Oregon

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeffrey Scott Rasmussen, please visit our floral store.