RASMUSSEN, BARBARA J. "BJ"

RASMUSSEN, BARBARA J. "BJ" Barbara J. "BJ" Rasmussen of Tampa, Florida, formerly of Cape May, New Jersey lost her multi-year battle with bladder cancer early July 25, 2023, in the Hospice Unit of James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Barbara was born at Margaret Mace Hospital, North Wildwood, New Jersey to the late Robert and Ruth Greenway. Barbara is survived by her husband, William "Bill" Fick who resides in Sun City Center, Florida. Also surviving are her daughter Kelly Kirtley and husband Guy of Irmo, South Carolina; brother, Curtis Greenway, and wife Sharon, living in Westminster, Maryland; brother Robert Greenway and wife Joy from North Cape May, New Jersey, and two grandchildren, Robert Kirtley of Clearwater, Florida and Lindsey Kirtley living in Dallas, Texas. She will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her, especially her nieces; Leah Greenway, Christina Granero and family, nephews; Keith Greenway and family, Bill Greenway and family, her extended family, and the many friends she touched over the years. Barbara was a 1964 Lower Cape May Regional High School graduate, as was her husband, Bill. A graduate of Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia, she received her BS in Nursing from the University of San Francisco. She also earned certification in Labor Relations at San Francisco State College. After nursing school, Barbara was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and served with her brother, Curtis, who was already deployed to Vietnam. She became a burn and trauma specialist and was one of approx-imately 7000 nurses to serve in Vietnam with the 93rd Evacuation Hospital in Long Binh where she was heavily exposed to the defoliant Agent Orange. She treated many of the wounded which included a local soldier from West Cape May, New Jersey. Following her Army service, she was a local and national vice president of Vietnam Veterans of America. Barbara had broad medical experience which included operating room nurse and orthopedic nurse. She also was Vice President of Nursing at Burdette Tomlin Memorial Hospital in Cape May Court House, New Jersey, taught nursing at Central Carolina Community College, and a nursing assistant for a cardiovascular surgeon. Barbara was a competitive tennis player and enjoyed surfing, and sailing. She worked tirelessly with other Vietnam veterans to help them navigate the Veterans' Administration health care system. She was especially effective with those vets suffering with post-traumatic stress disorder with speeches and lectures about the disease. She organized and supervised Health Care Clinics for the private prison system Corrections Corporation of America. Barbara's graveside service will be held on November 25th at 11am in the Cold Spring Cemetery Veterans Field of Honor, Lower Twp. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Caper 10 Alumni Association Scholarship, PO Box 331 Villas, NJ 08251 or Disabled American Veterans, 1010 Bayshore Rd, Del Haven, NJ 08251. (Spilker Funeral Home, Cape May) info and condolences: spilkerfuneralhome.com