29/09/2025
As Dugarel’s said in their post, this is truly a full circle moment. Thanks to years of support from all of you, our tournament participants and donors, several AED devices were placed in Hastings businesses a few years ago and just last week, one of those devices was used to save someone’s life. It’s beyond incredibile to know that Chase’s legacy is responsible in part for saving a life, along with the selfless actions of the off-duty paramedic. We wish the person involved a full and speedy recovery!
This is a long post, but you will absolutely want to read it!
A couple of years ago, Chris Passauer approached us at Dugarel’s about placing an AED machine in our restaurant. At the time, we didn’t think of it as a priority, but we gladly accepted his donation. What we didn’t know was just how important that decision would be.
Last Thursday evening, a customer went into cardiac arrest, collapsed, and lost their pulse. A paramedic who happened to be there immediately began chest compressions. At the same time, a staff member grabbed the AED. Once it was used, the customer’s heart started working again.
That AED was here because of Chris.
That AED was here because of Chase.
About Chase
Chase Passauer was tragically taken from us on April 7, 2016, at just 23 years old. He was fatally shot while working as a law clerk for a criminal defense attorney in St. Paul, MN. Chase was a bright young man with a limitless future ahead of him. Loved for his charisma, quick wit, and deep devotion to family and friends, Chase was the kind of person who made the world better just by being in it.
In his early years, he was active in karate, wrestling, and baseball, where he excelled as a catcher and pitcher. As a teen, his passion for the game expanded into umpiring, where he became a leader with North Star Umpires, even training and mentoring others. He was also deeply involved in the Youth in Government program, which helped ignite his dream of becoming a lawyer.
Chase was academically gifted—he began college during high school, graduated from the University of Minnesota at just 21 with degrees in Political Science and Philosophy, and planned to attend law school that fall to become a criminal defense attorney.
Honoring Chase’s Legacy
After his tragic passing, family and friends created scholarships in Chase’s name through the University of Minnesota Foundation, supporting students who demonstrate leadership, community service, and the drive to serve others—just as Chase did. Later, the Chase Allen-Lloyd Passauer Foundation expanded that mission, awarding scholarships to Hastings High School students and launching a program to place AEDs in local businesses.
When the idea of the AED program came forward, the foundation reached out to the Hastings Fire Department for guidance and began working with Al Storlie. From there, partnerships formed with the Hastings Fire Relief Association and Allina Heart Health—helping make this life-saving initiative possible.
✨The first three AEDs went to Dugarel’s, The Busted Nut, and Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
✨More have since been placed across Hastings, while scholarships continue to help students chase their dreams.
✨Through it all, the mission has remained: honor Chase’s life by helping others.
Last Thursday, that mission came full circle.�Because of Chris’s efforts to honor Chase, a life was saved right here at Dugarel’s.
If you’d like to help continue this important work, donations can be made here:
https://cap34.org/aed
Chris, in honoring your son, you gave our community a gift that cannot be measured. From the bottom of our hearts—thank you. 💙
