Ivar Ostbo, 80

Former Alaska resident Ivar Ostbo, 80, died Jan. 30, 2004, in Wilsonville, Ore., after a long battle with heart disease.

Mr. Ostbo was conceived in Norway and born Oct. 12, 1923, in America. His parents, Magnus and Esther Ostbo, soon settled as new immigrants in Marysville, Wash., where they remained. Prior to reaching school age, he taught himself English by reading comics, as his parents spoke only Norwegian at home.

Mr. Ostbo attended Marysville High School, where he participated in football and band. He graduated in 1941 with a scholarship to the University of Washington. He was frustrated when he found out he would only study theory in electronics for four years; he wanted hands-on experience. With the help of friends, he taught himself electronics.

In the '50s and '60s, Mr. Ostbo owned Ostbo Radio and TV Repair in Marysville. In 1967, he came to Alaska to work in telecommunications and retired in 1994 after 27 years. During his career, he was employed by ITT and RCA around Alaska and eventually retired from Alascom in Anchorage.

After retirement, Mr. Ostbo and his wife, Jean, settled on Camano Island, Wash. After his wife's death in 1998, Mr. Ostbo moved to Wilsonville to be near his son.

His family wrote: "Ivar will be most remembered for his love of family, life, art and boating on the Sound. He once said his most interesting memory was when he stood at the North Pole with one foot planted in each hemisphere. He was an outstanding father and a man willing to live outside the box. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him well."

He is survived by his sister, Louise Nyblod of Marysville; children, Bruce Ostbo of Federal Way, Wash., Craig Ostbo of Tualatin, Ore., and Kim Holland of Glendale, Ariz.; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.