Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
Per-Kristian Halvorsen Obituary
Per-Kristian "Kris" Halvorsen, Norwegian linguist and technology executive whose insights and imagination influenced the adoption of computing, died on December 12 in California. He was 70. His wife and only immediate survivor, Meg Withgott, said his death, at Mission House Woodside, was caused by a rare cancer.
While Per Kristian lived for most of his life in the Bay Area, he was born in Oslo to Peggy and Kaare Halvorsen. Peggy was from Tromsø, in far northern Norway, and he recounted how they regularly took the mail boat up the coast to a land of polar bears, the midnight sun and the northern lights. Per-Kristian moved to Texas to study linguistics, and that is where he met Meg whom he married in 1982. Their son, Christian, tragically passed away earlier last year. The family remained close to friends in Oslo and visited often. They also brought Norway to California through following national teams in winter sports, cooking, and hiking hilly trails, particularly in Big Sur.
Per-Kristian retained academic ties as a consulting professor at Stanford and the University of Oslo, and as co-author of Situations, Language and Logic. He enjoyed applying his training as a Ph.D. in linguistics in industry. At Xerox PARC, he served as founding director of the Information Science and Technology Laboratory. He then served as Vice President and Center Director for the Solutions and Services Research Center at HP where he opened international research labs. As Senior Vice President of Intuit Inc., he served in various roles including chief innovation officer from 2008 to 2016.
Halvorsen mentored young employees and companies and served as a board member of Nets, finn.no and FinnTech, Autodesk, Inc., and Symantec Corporation. For the past 12 years, he served on Iron Mountain's Board of Directors, most recently as the Chair of the Technology Committee. The company conveyed that they sorely will miss Per-Kristian's innovative spirit, sound judgment, mentorship, and most importantly his friendship.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Per-Kristian Halvorsen
6 Entries
Tim Ostler
December 26, 2024
In September 1993, at the age of 40, I had a meeting with Per-Kristian at Xerox PARC that changed my life. He was a friend of my brother Nick, also a linguist, and while I was on a visit from the UK to California he kindly mentored me on my best course of action should I, at that point an architectural journalist with no computer qualifications, want to become involved in graphical user interface design. His suggestion was to take a course in Cognitive Science, a topic that I had never come across before.
Within a couple of years I had begun a Masters in the subject, and eventually became an Information Architect. A whole new career now beckoned, with few periods of inactivity until my retirement.
It is to my great regret that I never told Per-Kristian how he had helped me or thanked him for it.
Diane Ciesinski
December 12, 2023
Remembering a wonderful neighbor and friend- can´t believe it´s been two years
Kassim Shaaban
April 24, 2022
Though. Haven´t seen Kris in years, I remember him very well. A serious scholar and an Amazing human being
Andrés Martinez
February 10, 2022
I worked for Kris at Xerox PARC in the 90´s and will always remember him fondly. He was a great human being all-around.
Sue Schmerling
January 23, 2022
This photo perfectly captures the warmth of Kris' smile that I always see in my mind's eye. Contemplate it and cherish the sense of beatitude it brings.
Diane and Steve Ciesinski
January 23, 2022
Dear Meg, this is a beautiful tribute to Kris, and a wonderful photo of his smiling face. We fondly remember his festive 70th birthday celebration and are sending you lots of love at this time.
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
Make a Donation
in Per-Kristian Halvorsen's name
Memorial Events
for Per-Kristian Halvorsen
How to support Per-Kristian's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Per-Kristian Halvorsen's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
