Peder Nornes
A pioneer of the fishing industry, Peder Gunleiv Nornes, 74, passed away from complications of his 16-year journey with Alzheimer’s on January 6, 2020. In his final days, his family came together to share stories, to laugh, to cry and to laugh some more as they reflected on a life lived so well. Pete’s positive impact on the lives of those he encountered is felt deeply in the immutable way he approached life—full of action, integrity, perseverance, intelligence, kindness, humor and love. He measured success not by the size of bank accounts but by more important standards—how you engaged in your life, how you treated others, did you work hard, did you find humor in all things, and did you help others.
Pete left the island of Karmøy, Norway during his teenage years to embark on a journey that would take him on adventures around the world before settling in Seattle in the 1960’s. He found peace and solitude during periods of deep sleep while sitting upright in a church pew attending his children’s Christmas and Easter pageants. A sharp elbow in his side administered by his wife to quiet the snores were met with thanks from the church parishioners sitting nearby. He did not adopt a conventional definition for the existence of God, so the manner in which he lived his life became his definition. Pete embraced life and the people in it with fervor and enthusiasm. He delighted in regaling family and friends (and anyone in earshot) with stories that would probably make any good lawyer cringe. Never shy for an adventure, he tested his physical limits through harrowing experiences conjuring up images of characters like James Bond, MacGyver and Indiana Jones all rolled into one. And he survived time and time again to tell another story. Pete made friends with everyone, made the very best of any situation—good or bad, so it’s no surprise he made friends with Alzheimer’s, too. His love for life and everyone in it shone through even in his final moments of life.
Anyone who knew Pete would acknowledge his undeniable love for the sea. He made his living from it, respected the awesome power of it, felt most alive being near it and survived its many attempts to extinguish him. Yet he persisted as he worked in the crab fisheries in Dutch Harbor and the salmon fisheries in Kodiak, Alaska. A vessel owner and operator, Pete loved all his babies, we mean, his vessels equally, including the F/V Seahawk, Wichmann Command, F/V Paramount and the F/V Pacific Breeze, among many more.
Peder is survived by his immediate family in Seattle: his wife of 53 years Bjørg Nornes, his children Ann Christine Nornes, Arlene Nornes, Marilyn (Nornes) Roberts, Peter Nornes and Bernice (Nornes) Twigg, and grandchildren Peder Nornes, Josephine Roberts, Eva Nornes and Grayson Roberts. His family and friends in Norway share in the grief of his passing. He is preceded in death by parents Karl Andreas Nornes and Nelly Nornes, and brother Njål Nornes.
A Celebration of Life ceremony is being planned.