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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Federation Family,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am very sorry to share that our brother in the Federation, Lloyd Rasmussen, passed away early this morning. Lloyd was a brilliant man, having been one of the first blind people to become an engineer and work in his field; he served at the Library of Congress National Library for the Blind and Print Disabled for nearly 46 years. He helped develop and implement dozens of NLS programs. If you listen to talking books, you have Lloyd to thank. If you use BARD, you have Lloyd to thank. If you have an NLS Braille display, you have Lloyd to thank. And these are just a few of his contributions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd was a fierce advocate for Braille, and he worked to make sure others could access it. In fact, Lloyd was responsible for creating and formatting our state convention Braille agendas for literally decades.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd was an outstanding sound engineer and technology enthusiast. In fact, Lloyd has served as the audio engineer for all of the NFB of Maryland Braille is Beautiful plays. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd loved music. As a member of the Cane Raisers, he wrote or sang many of the songs that are now our Federation melodies.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd also was a man of strong faith. He led the affiliate’s Sunday morning devotionals for many years.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd was also an amateur radio operator, having begun when he was in third grade. His call sign was W3IUU. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd previously served as President of the Sligo Creek Chapter in the 1980s. He has served in many leadership roles since moving to Maryland in 1975. When he passed, he was the chapter secretary.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd leaves behind his beloved wife of 40 years, Judy Rasmussen. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Lloyd’s services will take place later this week in Iowa. There will be a memorial service at a later date, and we will share information once it is available.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please keep Lloyd, Judy, and their friends and family in your thoughts and prayers.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>