[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S5813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                      REMEMBERING DAVID D. RASLEY

 Mr. BEGICH. Mr. President, I pay tribute to a Mr. David D. 
Rasley, Sr., who passed away on May 8, 2009. Mr. Rasley was a 50-year 
resident of Alaska. Working in the construction field, he was highly 
regarded in the Fairbanks labor community. He also gave tirelessly to 
community causes before and after his retirement. Dave was very proud 
of his Army service.
  I have included his obituary below and ask that it be printed in the 
Record. Interior Alaskans mourn the loss of Dave Rasley and join in 
offering condolences to his wife of nearly 58 years, Luella, sons 
David, Ron and Brian and his grandchildren, Michael and Carolyn.
  The information follows:

       David Dale Rasley Sr. died May 8, 2009, after a long battle 
     with cancer.
       He was born on December 2, 1928, in Deer River, MN. Dave 
     lived in Fairbanks for more than 50 years and came to Alaska 
     for good in 1959 shortly after statehood.
       Dave had come first to Alaska in 1948 with some family and 
     friends to work on post-World War II projects in Anchorage, 
     Kodiak and Fairbanks. He returned to Minnesota and was 
     drafted into the Army in 1950.
       Dave married his wife, Luella, June 7, 1951, in Port 
     Townsend, WA, while he was in the Army. He loved Luella very 
     much, and they were married for almost 58 years. He was proud 
     of his military service and was stationed at Camp Desert 
     Rock, NV, and participated in at least three atomic bomb 
     tests during the early 1950s. His unit helped build some of 
     the test facilities and participated in what are now known to 
     be dangerous post blast tests.
       Shortly after moving to Alaska in 1959, he worked on the 
     Cold War DEW line installations at Barter Island and Clear 
     Air Force Station. In 1961 he was diagnosed with myasthenia 
     gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease and was told he might 
     not survive long, or would be wheelchair-bound. He underwent 
     experimental surgery at the University of Washington and with 
     medication was able to function normally.
       He began classes at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and 
     graduated with a bachelor of science degree in business in 
     1966. He worked in the construction industry for two years, 
     then took a job with the Operating Engineers Union Local 302 
     as a field agent. He eventually became the head agent for the 
     northern region of the state and was involved in the trans-
     Alaska oil pipeline and related work contract agreements for 
     IUOE Local 302 until his retirement in 1989.
       Dave was also proud of his 32 years of work as a board 
     member of the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital and a past 
     president of the board. He was involved in FMH projects such 
     as the Denali Center, Imaging Center, Cancer Treatment Center 
     and several general hospital expansions.
       Dave and Luella were big sports fans supporting UAF hockey, 
     men and women's basketball, volleyball, and other UAF 
     activities. They were fixtures and season ticket holders for 
     Gold Kings, Ice Dogs, UAF hockey teams and Fairbanks 
     Goldpanners baseball team. Dave was a Goldpanner board member 
     for many years and was not afraid to get involved when a 
     volunteer was needed.
       David is survived by his wife, Luella; sons, David Jr. 
     (Beverly), Ron (Stephanie), Brian; and by his grandchildren, 
     Michael and Carolyn. David was a true Alaskan and will be 
     missed.

                          ____________________