Jorgen Dahlie

January 11, 1924 - December 07, 2016

With great sadness we announce the unexpected passing of Jorgen in Langley, B.C., beloved husband to Shirley Ranahan (71 years).  A much loved and powerfully inspirational figure for his daughters, Annalee Luhman (Tom), Sonja Dahlie, Susan Anderson (Russell), Rita Dahlie (Earl Schwarzfeld), his grandchildren Trevor Dahlie (Bridgette), Misha  MacKinnon (Paula Vargas), Tessa Jane MacKinnon (Clayton Caldwell), Erik Schwarzfeld, Marla Schwarzfeld, and Glen Schwarzfeld (Mallory Manley), five great grandchildren, many colleagues and friends. Predeceased by his parents Chris and Else Dahlie, his sister Martha and brother Hallvard. He lived a remarkably full life, for which he was always grateful and never took for granted. Born in Ringsaker, Norway he came to Canada at age five. His family briefly lived on the prairies before moving to Smithers. They homesteaded in the log cabin his father built on the slopes of Hudson Bay Mountain. A time of considerable hardship and hard work, the close-knit family was talented and known for their love of the outdoors, their skiing prowess, and their colourful Norwegian sweaters. He relished both school and music and had many excellent teachers who significantly influenced the arc of his life. He joined the Navy when war broke out, but within months developed tuberculosis and was in a sanatorium for 18 months. The required bedrest and his love of reading enabled him to begin his university studies. Jorgen married teacher Shirley on July 28, 1945 on the homestead in front of the potato blossoms. Jorgen delivered stove oil to the mills and farms from Hazelton to Houston in any weather and under any road conditions while Shirley handled the home front of raising their four girls. He was a self-taught musician and Shirley was an accomplished saxophone player. Together with a guitarist and drummer, they created the dance band Three Hits and a Miss. They loved making music, playing in community halls, the beauty of the north country, and the adventure of it all. He decided to "change up" his life mid-career by becoming a teacher. He earned his BA in education at UBC in 1964. Intellectual pursuits suited him and he completed his PhD in American Studies at Washington State University. His Norwegian heritage, always a great source of pride, helped him with interviews of former Norwegian ski jumpers and he translated many "letters home" for his dissertation on Scandinavians' influence on the State of Washington. He cherished his Sons of Norway membership of 60 years.  He became Head of UBC's Department of Social and Educational Studies in 1982 where he fully embraced the academic life. He enjoyed his family, reading, writing, politics, skiing, and golf. A lifetime highlight was participating in the 2000 Birkebeiner 54km ski race from Rena, Sweden to Lillehammer, Norway. He also savoured hitting the links with his brother Hallvard and with his sons-in-law, rain or shine. He could remember every hole he ever played and would remind anyone who listened what his scores were! Jorgen will be sorely missed by all whose lives were enriched by him. He kept a day log for several decades, with permission to peek inside once he was gone. He would only caution not to embellish history overly much, but to take satisfaction in a life well lived. No service by request.