Lise Hedberg

1926 - 2026

Lise Hedberg died peacefully on Saturday, January 17, 2026, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 99.



Lise was born on September 6, 1926, in Oslo, Norway, the daughter of Ragnvald Smedvik and Edith Nyquist. She grew up in Oslo with her younger sister, Vanda, and her cousin Jan, who lived in the same apartment building. From childhood, Lise formed deep and enduring friendships, including with a group of eight friends who remained close throughout life.



Lise earned a degree in chemistry from the University of Oslo. Shortly after World War II, she met Ken Hedberg, a Fulbright Fellow working in the same chemistry laboratory. They married in 1954 at Oslo City Hall and soon moved to Pasadena, California, to work at Caltech. Hating the smog and missing green forests, they moved to Corvallis in 1956 to join the faculty of the Chemistry Department at Oregon State University. There, Lise and Ken collaborated as research partners in physical chemistry for 60 years.



Beyond her scientific work, Lise loved the outdoors and was an avid hiker and skier. She and Ken shared a love of classical music and travel, spending sabbaticals in Norway, England, and Australia, and traveling widely throughout Europe, Central America, and the South Pacific. Lise was a gifted knitter and embroiderer, creating sweaters, wall hangings, and table runners that her family will cherish.



Lise is survived by her son Erik, daughter-in-law Sara, and their daughters Lindsey and Allison; her great-grandson Alvin; her daughter Katrina; her son-in-law Michael; their children Annika (partner Dan) and Peter (wife Paige); and her great-granddaughter Iyla. She will be remembered for her intellect, creativity, warmth, and lifelong devotion to family and friends.