IU professor’s daughter, parents die in train accident

The 9-year-old daughter of an IU Kelley School of Business professor died Monday in Ottawa, Ill., after an Amtrak train struck the vehicle she was in.

Elizabeth Rasmusen, daughter of IU professor Eric Rasmusen, was pronounced dead at the scene along with her grandparents Benjamin Rasmusen, 82, and Marilyn Rasmusen, 81. Two other children, 10 and 7, were injured in the crash.

Eric Rasmusen is an IU professor of business economics, according to the Kelley School of Business Web site. He is also an adjunct professor of economics through the College of Arts and Sciences.

“We are blessed,” Eric Rasmusen said in a statement. “We have four wonderful children, and we had Lizzie for nine years. My parents lived their threescore and 10 and more, and died quickly, and I was able to share 50 happy years with them. ... Lizzie was so sweet, helpful and affectionate that we worried about how people would hurt her when she grew up. She loved God better than any of us, and He has saved her from care. So many are so blessed to have known her, and we got to know her best.”

Kelley School of Business Dean Dan Smith said it is next to impossible to comprehend the pain and sorrow that the Rasmusen family is feeling.

“Our thoughts, prayers and helping hands are with them as they try their best to cope,” he said.

Illinois authorities said evidence suggests the car didn’t stop at the railroad intersection and was hit by the train. The accident is still under investigation.