Per Bye Ohrstrom
Of Arlington Heights

Per Bye Ohrstrom 86 of Arlington Heights passed away on Thursday November 8, 2012 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

Per was born in Oslo, Norway. Graduated High School in 1943, attended Hvidtfeldska Laroverket, Goteborg, Sweden 1944, Det Norske Gymnas, Uppsala, Sweden 1944/45, took his Examen Artium in Oslo – 1946, graduated from Oslo Handelsgymnas – 1949. A commissioned officer in the Norwegian Army ( Jegerkorpset I.R.2 ), graduated from: Befalsskolen for Infanteriet-Sandnes, Norway. School of Infantry – BAOR (British Army on the Rhine) Sennelager, Germany. Skyte or Vinterskolen of Infanteriet, Elverum, Norway.Military service included duty with Norwegian Forces in Germany.

Per married the late Liv Sorlie in 1952. They have four children; the late Stein (Ellen) Ohrstrom, Marianne (Larry) Sanders, Tom (Nicki) Ohrstrom and Lars (Lisa) Ohrstrom; 11 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Per came to Chicago in 1954, and joined The First National Bank of Chicago. After a brief period with the bank, he joined the Norwegian Export-Import Company in 1957 as a Sales Manager later became General Manager. In 1962 Per started with Sea-Born Mineral Division of SkodCo, Greenwich, Connecticut and Chicago, Illinois as a Sales Manager. Later he became President and General Manager. He left Sea-Born Corporation in 1973, and started his own importing companies, P.B. Ohrstrom & Son’s, Inc and Maxicrop U.S.A., Inc.

In his early days Per’s great hobby was singing, being a member of the famous Norwegian Boys Choir (Olavsguttene ) for several years. Other hobbies include skiing, soccer, handball, ice hockey, track and rowing. He was a member of the Christiana Roklub team , Norwegian Champion in both 4 and 8 oared shells, member of the winning team of Military Class in Holmenkollstafetten in 1948.

Per was a member of the Norwegian American Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Midwest Chapter 1980-82, Chairman of the Executive Committee 1982-84. He received the Export Council of Norway Award in recognition of outstanding contribution to the development of the trade relations with Norway in 1984. He has served with the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights, President 1984-85, A Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, Nordmanns Forbundet ( Norseman League ) President, Norwegian American Museum, Decorah, Iowa ( Fellow ), Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, Chicago – Chairman of the Restoration Committee 1982-84.

Per was appointed Consul of Norway for the State of Illinois by the H.M. King of Norway on May 22, 1987 and Consul General on October 26, 1990. On September 14, 1995, H.m. King Harald appointed Per Bye Knight of the First Class of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, November 23rd at 4 pm at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1234 N. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church, Chicago IL, Our Saviours’ Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights, IL, and Norwood Life Care Foundation, Norwood Park, IL.


 

Glueckert Funeral Home