Peder Monsen

1936 - 2025

Peder Monsen
02/19/1936 - 08/25/2025
Peder Monsen, a Norwegian skier, sailor, and adventurer passed away at his home in Sun Valley, Idaho in August. He was 89 years old.
Peder had already planned not one, but two 90th birthday parties for himself. This was no surprise, as he adored hosting family and friends at luncheons and dinner dances in Houston, Sun Valley, and abroad. Peder was almost always seen in a coat and tie, often with copies of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal in hand, ready to discuss world events, history, politics, or the stock market.
Born in Oslo, Norway to Commander Captain Christian August Monsen and Gerd Johannessen Monsen, Peder remained a faithful Norwegian citizen throughout his life. He grew up skiing cross-country, alpine, and ski jumping and, by age 20, had qualified for Norway's Olympic downhill ski team. Sadly, that career was cut short only weeks before the Games by a collision during training.
Peder served two years as a navigator in the Royal Norwegian Air Force. There, his exploits included persuading an American NATO pilot to commandeer a jet and fly the two of them to Beirut for the opening of the Hilton Hotel. The caper ended without consequence.
Sailing brought Peder to his new home in Houston in 1958. While crewing aboard a Norwegian 5.5 metre yacht at Texas Corinthian Yacht Club, he met and fell in love with fellow race competitor, Marion Fay. The two married in 1962, while he was enrolled at Rice Institute. After graduation, he began a long career in the oil and gas industry, much of it representing firms in Norway.
Peder became a formidable presence in international sailing. He crewed for Albert and Ernie Fay in Texas and abroad, won long-distance maxi yacht competitions worldwide, and was part of Ted Turner's winning America's Cup teams. Peder and Marion even joined Albert and Ernie Fay on the cover of Sports Illustrated in a 1963 edition on yacht racing. For 25 summers, Peder crewed aboard the 5.5 metre yacht Norna for His Majesty King Olav V of Norway.
His passions extended well beyond sailing. A crack shot and talented angler, Peder hunted and fished on several continents. He taught himself tennis well enough to win amateur tournaments and passed his passion for skiing and fishing on to his daughter and grandchildren. In Sun Valley, he co-founded Sun Valley Heli Ski, served as President of the local ski club, raised funds for the Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, and volunteered for the winter Special Olympics.
In 1985, Peder organized the successful Norwegian Everest Expedition led by Arne Nass, trekking high into the Himalayas (he nearly summited).
Politics, too, occupied much of his energy. A Republican fundraiser since the 1960s, Peder began by traveling all over Texas with his beloved father-in-law with hat in hand. This passion continued until his final weeks when he co-hosted political fundraisers in Idaho.
Peder was a longtime supporter of the Baker Institute, Idaho Nature Conservancy, and The Blenheim Foundation, where he served on the board.
Peder was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years Marion Spencer Fay Monsen, his parents Tian and Gerd Monsen, brother Ola Monsen, cousins Elsebeth Kielland and Jorgen Cappelen, parents-in-law Albert and Homoiselle Fay, and in-laws Ernie Fay, Carolyn Fay and Frank Smith. He is survived by his daughter Fay Bel Monsen Kirby, son-in-law Donald Kirby, grandchildren Elsebeth Fay Kirby Prioleau (Wilson Prioleau), Alix Dance Kirby, Christian Spencer Kirby, brother Paal Erik Monsen (Karin Tidemand), nephew Christian Reksten-Monsen (Yan), niece Camilla Reksten-Monsen, sister-in-law Katherine Bel Fay, brother-in-law Albert Bel Fay and wife Sidney Fay, Homoiselle Bujosa, Carlos Bujosa, Sallie Sadler, Cal Sadler, Libby Fay, Eloise Novotny (Andrew), Anabel Thompson (Steve), and many beloved great-nieces and nephews.
Charitable donations may be made to Galveston Bay Foundation, galvbay.org, or Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, SVSEF.org
After a private family burial, a celebration of life will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Peder's favorite lunch spot.
The English Room is now available.