Charles Hugh Rasmussen moved on peacefully Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011.

Hugh was born in Seattle to Soren and Alice Rasmussen. His family moved to Whidbey Island in 1945, and instantly fell in love with the outdoor life Whidbey offered.

After graduation from Langley High School in 1951, he went into the Navy and worked as a Seabee, building airfields in the Philippines.

After leaving the Navy in 1954 he attended Western Washington University, earning a degree in industrial arts. Hugh worked for Boeing, on the Grand Coulee Dam and on the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline.

In 1961, he married Janet Alexander. They had three children.

Hugh had many personal pursuits that defined his life. During his high school years, he discovered his love of woodworking and shooting. These interests would follow him his entire life.

During the fall and winter, he could be found duck- hunting in Deer Lagoon and at every pothole on the South End of the island.

Later, as hunting opportunities on the island closed, he turned to trap-shooting, where he earned several awards and became known as a top-notch shooter.

Hugh’s interest in woodworking and bird hunting eventually converged when he started carving birds.

At first, his birds were simple, basically decoys, but his talent didn’t end there. He brought amazing detail to his birds. Iridescent painting combined with intricate chip-and-burn patterns turned his decoys into beautiful, life-like works of art.

As a young man, he excelled at water skiing and fishing off the shore of Useless Bay.

He could also be found racing his friends on the tide flats of Sunlight Beach with his red-and-white Harley Davidson Sportster. Hugh and a friend scratch-built a wooden boat called “Follow Me,” and entered boat races that circumnavigated Whidbey Island in the 1950s.

Hugh leaves behind his sister, Joyce Bruneau of Clinton and brother, Gordon Rasmussen and wife Lisa of Bothell; his three children, Lee Rasmussen and wife Sheri of Freeland, Roger Rasmussen and wife Adel of Clinton, and Cindy Burley and husband Corey of Oak Harbor. Hugh also has three grandchildren who will miss him greatly; Lance and Dylan Burley, and Owen Whetstine.

A celebration of Hugh’s life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 12 at the Holmes Harbor Rod & Gun Club.

A collection of Hugh’s woodworking will be on display, and attendees are welcome to bring in their personal pieces.