Rolf Skår | |
|---|---|
 1985 St. Gallen University Archives | |
| Born | (1941-05-13)13 May 1941 Karmøy, Norway |
| Died | 24 May 2023(2023-05-24) (aged 82) |
| Education | Norwegian Institute of Technology (degree incybernetics) |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Known for | Co-founder and CEO ofNorsk Data Chairman of theNorwegian Polytechnic Society CEO of theNorwegian Space Centre |
| Spouse | Aslaug Signy Nisi |
| Awards | Order of St. Olav (2010) |
Rolf Skår (13 May 1941 – 24 May 2023) was a Norwegian engineer and entrepreneur. He was a co-founder of the computer manufacturing companyNorsk Data in 1967, and took over as chief executive officer (CEO) of the company from 1978 to 1989. He was later CEO of theRoyal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, chaired theNorwegian Polytechnic Society, and was CEO of theNorwegian Space Centre from 1998 to 2006. For his contributions to information technology and space activity, Skår was knighted as in the First Class of theOrder of St. Olav in 2010.
Born inKarmøy on 13 May 1941, Skår was the son of farmer and fisherman Lars Martin Skår and Magnhild Ytreland.[1] In 1966, Skår graduated incybernetics[2] from theNorwegian Institute of Technology where he studied under ProfessorJens Glad Balchen.[3]During his studies he had several periods abroad. In the summer of 1963 he went to Switzerland to work for an electrical products manufacturer. The following year he took part in theCERN Summer Student Programme working with digital technology and during the summer 1965 he worked forNATO Saclant in La Spezia, Italy.[4] His diploma involved software development on the minicomputerSAM at theNorwegian Defence Research Establishment, while serving his mandatory military duty there. After the military duty, he was assigned as researcher at the institute, working on the institute's next computer project called SAM-2.[3]
Skår was a co-founder of the computer manufacturing companyNorsk Data in 1967, along withLars Monrad-Krohn, the first director, andPer Bjørge [no].[5] Skår was CEO of the company from 1978 to 1989.[3] Prior to becoming CEO, he had assumed various positions in the company, both insoftware development and in sales andmarketing.[2] During this period Norsk Data grew to become one of the largest computer manufacturers in Europe, followed by a steep decline due to competition fromUnix servers andPCnetworks. Skår resigned from his position in 1989, and Norsk Data was dissolved in 1992.[3]
From 1990 to 1992, Skår was CEO of theRoyal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and he was CEO ofNorconsult [no] from 1993 to 1997. From 1993 to 1995 he also chaired theNorwegian Polytechnic Society. He was CEO of theNorwegian Space Centre from 1998 to 2006, thus taking a leading part in the development of theSvalbard Satellite Station, as well as in bringing modern telecommunication to Svalbard by establishing fiber cables between Svalbard and mainland Norway, theSvalbard Undersea Cable System.[3][1] He also represented Norway in theEuropean Space Agency.[2]
Skår was a fellow of theNorwegian Academy of Technological Sciences,[3][6] theRoyal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, and the International Academy of Aeronautics.[3] He was decorated Knight, First Class of theOrder of St. Olav in 2010, for his contributions toinformation technology and space activity.[7]
Skår married Aslaug Signy Nisi, a librarian and preschool teacher, in 1965.[1]
He died on 24 May 2023, at age 82.[8]
| Non-profit organization positions | ||
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| Preceded by | Chairman of theNorwegian Polytechnic Society 1993–1995 | Succeeded by |
