"He coached through all the grades right up to Premiers and served on the club committee as well as being a junior development officer.
"He still came down to support our Premiers and Premier First teams at home games and was often found after the game chatting with the players about their performance.
"Ras - you were loved by many and will be missed by all."
It is with the heaviest of hearts the Club must acknowledge the tragic passing of a true Otahuhu Gentleman - Mr Peter...
Posted by Otahuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club Inc on Monday, August 23, 2021
He is also being remembered for his time playing rugby league at Carlaw Park, a stadium known as the home of rugby league in Auckland.
A group called the Carlaw Park Die Hards has posted a photo of Rasmussen as a child, along with his rugby team members, to social media.
@carlawparkdiehards must acknowledge the tragic passing of a true Otahuhu Gentleman.
Love to the Rasmussen family...
Posted by Carlaw Park Die Hards on Monday, August 23, 2021
Rasmussen appears to have been a pillar of his community, with scores of people posting heartwarming tributes on Facebook about how he dedicated his life to rugby league and his family.
"[I'm] really going to miss the words of wisdom that you provided after all our home games and going to miss a beer with a true Blue," one person wrote.
Another wrote: "Worked with Ras at the freezing works for 10yrs, always good for a chat about league and how good his club were doing."
Rasmussen's wife, Fay, died in May 2019, aged 76.
"Dearly loved wife, mum, mum in-law, cherished nana and confidant to many," a death notice in the New Zealand Herald said.
Police have been speaking to residents, neighbours and Rasmussen's family after the shooting at the Princes St East property, during alert level 4 restrictions.
A post-mortem examination has been done and a scene examination is ongoing.
Police said they are still trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding Rasmussen's death and to identify whoever is responsible.
"This is a case of an elderly man being killed at his own home," said Detective Inspector Chris Barry.
"We are also appealing to the public to provide us with valuable information.
"We believe there are people out there who may have seen or heard something suspicious in the area that may be able to help our inquiries and to give Peter's family some answers," he said.
Police urge anyone who has phone or dash camera footage from Princes St East, or along the Southern Motorway from Mt Wellington to Ōtāhuhu, or in the wider Ōtāhuhu and Manukau area, from 6am to 10pm on Sunday, to upload this footage here.
Information can also be provided by calling 10-5 and quoting file number 210822/9740. It can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
