Franklin Burton Rasch
September 25, 1947 — February 12, 2005
Franklin Burton Rasch, 57, of Aura, Michigan, died late in the evening Saturday, February 12, 2005 at his home.
Frank was born September 25, 1947, in Petoskey, Michigan, a son of the late Eric and Virginia (Hubble) Rasch. He graduated from Boyne City High School in 1965 and attended Ferris State College. On September 7, 1968 he married the former Susan Bush in Boyne City, Michigan.
He bravely served his country in the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
Frank also served the state of Michigan as an employee for the park system for 30 years. He worked in parks all over the state and was manager of Brimley, Van Riper and most recently, the Porcupine Mountains State Park.
One of his favorite times was when he got to "mug" a moose during a DNR moose count while at Van Riper State Park. Afterward, Frank discovered he had the honor of being the oldest man in the state of Michigan to accomplish that feat. His wife, Susan, later wrote a feature article about this detailing his adventure for the Upper Michigan Outdoor Journal.
Frank was a well respected man in his field. Whenever he transferred to another state park, there were always at least a few campers who made a point of traveling to visit him at his new location. He will be sorely missed by his colleagues and, most of all, by his loving family.
He was a former member of the Brimley Lions Club and a member of the United Lutheran Church in L'Anse.
Frank is survived by his wife, Susan Rasch of Aura; son, Andrew (Jennifer) Rasch of Ishpeming; the new love of his life, granddaughter, T'Pina Rasch of Ishpeming; sisters, Avis (Bill) Boyer of Ocala, FL, Trudi (John) Keefer of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rose (Brad) Boice of Brooksville, FL; sister-in-law, Amy Rasch of Rockford, IL; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, a brother, Amil Rasch preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005 from 6 until 8 p.m. in the Jacobson Funeral Home. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the United Lutheran Church with Rev. Scott Williams officiating. There will be another opportunity for visitation at the church one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in the Aura Cemetery in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider making a donation to the Michigamme Museum for the new Moose Capture Exhibit currently being created.