November 7, 1943 – May 4, 2026

Halvdan Saethre was born on November 7, 1943, in Bergen, Norway, to Per and Edith Saethre. He was the second of four children, joining older sister Gerd, followed by Torhild and Ingelin. Though being the only brother among three sisters may not always have been easy, he was deeply loved and adored by them all.

From a young age, Halvdan embraced life with enthusiasm and warmth. He loved sports of every kind — football, swimming, skiing, and hiking in the beautiful mountains surrounding Bergen. Handsome, kind-hearted, and easygoing, he naturally drew people toward him and formed lifelong friendships wherever he went.

As a boy and young man, Halvdan spent countless memorable days with neighborhood friends. Together they often traveled by train to Skurdalen, where they rented a cabin for several years. There they skied, explored the outdoors, and enjoyed the simple joys of friendship and adventure.

Academically gifted and hardworking, Halvdan excelled throughout his schooling. After graduating from senior high school, he completed a two-year Mechanical Engineering program at Bergen Technical School. Inspired by opportunity and adventure, he and several fellow students applied to the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, South Dakota.

In 1966, family and friends tearfully said goodbye as Halvdan and other Norwegian students departed for the United States to begin a new chapter. Two years later, he proudly earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

During the summer of 1967, between his junior and senior years, Halvdan and two friends traveled west in search of work. Their journey brought them to San Jose, California, where they picked oranges in Sunnyvale while staying with a friend newly hired by GE Nuclear Energy Division. The Bay Area quickly captured Halvdan’s heart, and when recruiters visited his school the following spring, securing a position with General Electric became a priority. After spending the summer in Norway, he returned to California in the fall of 1968 to begin his career with GE.

Halvdan easily built lasting friendships during those years. He played soccer with the GE Atomic Crushers and spent winters skiing in Squaw Valley with friends. It was during this vibrant and joyful chapter of life that he met the love of his life, Judy.

Halvdan and Judy married in her hometown in Connecticut before eventually settling in Truckee, California — a place that reminded him of the natural beauty of Norway. Though he became American at heart, he never lost his genuine Bergen dialect, which remained with him throughout his life.

After six years with GE, Halvdan chose a different path. Never content being “a small fish in a big pond,” he left the company to work for a contractor he knew through Sons of Norway. Eventually, he obtained his California contractor’s license, moved permanently to Truckee, and built their home on Snowberry Road. Their home was always open for friends, whether they came from the Bay Area or were visiting from Norway.

In many ways Halvdan could be described as easygoing, but his devotion and care for Judy after she became ill was nothing short of extraordinary. Judy lived with multiple sclerosis for nearly 40 years, and her long life stands as a testament to Halvdan’s unwavering love, patience, and dedication.

He started building custom homes and earned his engineering license, allowing him to design and approve plans himself. After several successful years, his work slowed during the financial crisis of 2007, and many colleagues left the Tahoe area in search of new opportunities. Despite these challenges, he remained supported by close neighbors and friends in Truckee who stood by him through the years.

Halvdan passed away from cancer on May 4, 2026. He will be remembered for his kindness, craftsmanship, resilience, humor, and deep loyalty to those he loved.

Though separated by distance, his family and friends in Norway and the United States held him close in heart throughout his life. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.