Terje Reinertsen

Contoocook, NH - Terje Reinertsen, born in the coastal town of Farsund, Norway, on April 1, 1937, passed away peacefully on March 3rd, at home, with his wife Priscilla at his side, in Contoocook, NH.

Terje studied psychology at the University of Oslo, and met his future wife, also a student, on a University sponsored x-c ski trip in the mountains above the city. Upon completion of his doctorate, the couple married in her hometown, Rochester, NY, and moved to Durham, NH where Priscilla continued her studies.

The couple moved to Dunbarton in 1968. Terje worked at the NH State Hospital as a clinical child psychologist before becoming a therapist at Central NH Community Mental Health (now Riverbend). He served as its Director for 25 years. Terje leaves a legacy of considerably expanding mental health services in the region, by developing innovative programs for various populations, in several satellite locations. Importantly, he collaborated with the Concord Hospital to establish Emergency Services and began residential therapy homes, starting with renovation of a large home on Pleasant Street. He was highly respected in the state for his leadership and his way of negotiating with a sense of humor.

Terje and Priscilla were married for 60 years. Apart from their professional careers, they enjoyed the sporting life of climbing all of NH's 48 four thousand footers, many in winter, skiing, and canoe and kayak racing, both marathon and whitewater, in the US and Norway.

Terje is survived by his wife Priscilla, one brother Jakob, and a brother-in-law Arnt Olav Penne, and a nephew Øyvind Penne, who live in Norway. There are many other nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, also in Norway. Terje's two sisters, Solfrid and Erna, are deceased.

There will be no memorial service at this time. Terje, a tough Viking, is at peace after valiantly struggling with dementia and debilitating mobility for many years.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Mar. 13, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Terje Reinertsen

8 Entries

bruce brody

May 12, 2025

I'm so sorry to hear that Terje passed away. I first Terje when I was volunteering at Concord Mental Health Center, which was started by Jim Kinhan, Tom Carson and Terje Reinertsen, Terje and Anna Philbrook supervised/trained us volunteers. Later I was hired at the center and for a time Terje and I shared an office together. Jim Wells and I spearheaded the Emergency Services program and built bridges between the Mental Health Center, Concord Hospital and the medical community when Terje became the head of the center. Under Terje's direction Central N.H. Community Mental Health Services became innovative and a model for comprehensive community mental health. He will be missed by all those lives that he as touched.

Peter Delfausse

April 1, 2025

Terje hired me in 1977 to provide psychiatric services to his newly formed mental health center. Many years after both of us retired I began the ritual of calling him on his birthday to check on his health, so this year when Priscilla informed me he had passed, she and I decided that our friendship meant enough to both of us that I will continue the tradition each year. Here´s to a wonderful leader, mentor, and friend.
Peter Delfausse, M.D.

Lorrie Drake and Brad Helfer

March 19, 2025

Terje was such a wonderful man and great friend. We will miss him.
Lorrie and Brad

Fred Moe

March 13, 2025

Terje interviewed and hired me to work at the mental health center and set me on my career path. His leadership was impeccable. May his memory be a blessing.

Suzanne Giuliano Kelly

March 13, 2025

My college Professor that touched my Heart Forever RIP SGK

Douglass Teschner

March 13, 2025

So sorry to hear of the loss of Terje. I enjoyed working with him when I joined Riverbend Community Mental Health as development director way back in 1987. We also enjoyed some hikes including the Moosilauke climb on New Years Day. My best thoughts to Priscilla.

Jordy Cornog

March 13, 2025

I am so sorry to hear of Terje's death, and glad for him that he is no longer in pain. It was an honor and a joy to work at the then Central New Hampshire Community Mental Health Center during his tenure. I remember well his compassion, his mischievous sense of humor, and his excellent leadership. Many, many fond memories of a special man.

Gary Chrisrtie Sr

March 13, 2025

Priscilla, so sorry to read about Terje passing. I remember our many conversations when he would come in my office. They were extremely educational. To show how compassionate he was, one time he left my office and noticed a worker out front with a jack hammer and no ear protection. Came back in to get a wad of tissue and go back out to have the worker plug his ears. Great guy surely to be missed. Rest in peace my friend

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