Alf R. Bjercke
Encyclopedia
Alf Richard Bjercke is a Norwegian business magnate
, consul and sports official.
, and politician. Both are descendants of politician Lars Thorstensen Tønsager
.
Alf R. Bjercke attended primary school at Majorstuen
, in a class together with Øistein Parmann, Birger Mathisen and Rolf Kirkvaag
. He later took what he himself has described as a "lousy" examen artium
. He studied chemical technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
from 1939 to 1941. He pledged the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
(FIJI), but his studies were interrupted because of Bjercke's wish to participate in World War II
. He served with the Royal Norwegian Air Force
-in-exile, in Canada and the United Kingdom, from 1941 to 1945. He did not return to MIT after the war, but instead started a career in the family business. He also served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1949, and reached the rank of major as Senior Intelligence Officer in NATO's Northern HQ. He was initiated in 1989 at his chapter's centennial celebration.
in 1972, Bjercke served as chairman of the board until 1983 and then chaired the corporate council until 1988. He has also chaired the employers' association for paint and coating companies. He has also started other companies and brands, including Fjordplast and the first Norwegian bottled water brand Norwater. From 1963 to 1993 he was the consul-general
for Tunisia
in Norway.
s in Schleswig-Holstein
from 1758 to 1762. These dragoons were border guards, but never saw military action. His interest in the topic spawned when he discovered that a distant ancestor from the Eidsvoll
area had been such a dragoon. In 1999 the University of Kiel
published a work by Bjercke, Norwegische Kätnersöhne als königliche Dragoner. He would try to submit this work to the University of Oslo
as a thesis, possibly earning the dr.philos. degree. An obstacle was his lack of a formal degree of higher education
. The candidacy for the doctorate met opposition in the university, and the case was delayed for several years before the university finally rejected to take it up for doctoral assessment.
Bjercke has also released an autobiography: Back-up av et rikt liv (2001), as well as many other books.
, later known as the Progress Party
. He later resigned his membership because he disagreed on a number of issues. From 1974 to 1976 he was a board member of the Oslo
Conservative Party
. He also served one term in Oslo city council. Some time around Siv Jensen
's takeover as party leader he rejoined the Progress Party.
Bjercke was also a founder of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, and has been a board member. He has also held board/council memberships in the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
, the World Wildlife Fund, Norway and the Norway-America Association, and has been involved in Rotary International
. He has been an initiator for restoration of the world's oldest steamship Skibladner
for traffic, and has vice-chaired the board that is responsible for the ship Christian Radich. Representing the sports club IF Ready, he was deputy chairman of the Norwegian Athletics Association
in 1968, before being elected to chairman at the 1968 congress, serving from 1969 to 1972. He was a member of the Norwegian Olympic Committee
during the leadership period. He led the athletic team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Bjercke has been decorated with the Order of St. Olav, and has also been decorated by the Tunisian state as a Commander, by the Emperor Haile selassie with an Off. of the Star of Ethipia and by Rotary International
with the Paul Harris Medal with 5 sapphires.
Business magnate
A business magnate, sometimes referred to as a capitalist, czar, mogul, tycoon, baron, oligarch, or industrialist, is an informal term used to refer to an entrepreneur who has reached prominence and derived a notable amount of wealth from a particular industry .-Etymology:The word magnate itself...
, consul and sports official.
Early life
He was born in Oslo as a grandson of Alf Bjercke. Alf Bjercke (1851–1933) was a notable businessman, especially within paint and lacquerLacquer
In a general sense, lacquer is a somewhat imprecise term for a clear or coloured varnish that dries by solvent evaporation and often a curing process as well that produces a hard, durable finish, in any sheen level from ultra matte to high gloss and that can be further polished as required...
, and politician. Both are descendants of politician Lars Thorstensen Tønsager
Lars Thorstensen Tønsager
Lars Thorstensen Tønsager was a Norwegian politician.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1830, 1836, 1842, 1845, 1848 and 1851, representing the rural constituency of Akershus Amt. He was also a deputy representative in 1833. He worked as a farmer. He was also mayor of Eidsvoll.He is an...
.
Alf R. Bjercke attended primary school at Majorstuen
Majorstuen
Majorstuen is a neighbourhood in the Frogner borough in the western part of Oslo, Norway.Majorstuen is known for its vibrant downtown, especially its shopping area. The area has several elegant townhouses circa 1880-1890. The area is also an important public transport junction in Oslo, where all...
, in a class together with Øistein Parmann, Birger Mathisen and Rolf Kirkvaag
Rolf Kirkvaag
Rolf Kirkvaag was a Norwegian journalist, and a radio- and TV personality. He worked for NRK, the Norwegian state broadcasting network, between 1947 and 1959, and 1969 and 1990. From 1972 to 1985 he was entertainment director.Already a popular public persona, his fame grew enormously after an...
. He later took what he himself has described as a "lousy" examen artium
Examen artium
Examen artium was the name of the academic certification conferred in Denmark and Norway, qualifying the student for admission to university studies. Examen artium was originally introduced as the entrance exam of the University of Copenhagen in 1630...
. He studied chemical technology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
from 1939 to 1941. He pledged the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta
Phi Gamma Delta
The international fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta is a collegiate social fraternity with 120 chapters and 18 colonies across the United States and Canada. It was founded at Jefferson College, Pennsylvania, in 1848, and its headquarters are located in Lexington, Kentucky, USA...
(FIJI), but his studies were interrupted because of Bjercke's wish to participate in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He served with the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
-in-exile, in Canada and the United Kingdom, from 1941 to 1945. He did not return to MIT after the war, but instead started a career in the family business. He also served in the Air Force from 1948 to 1949, and reached the rank of major as Senior Intelligence Officer in NATO's Northern HQ. He was initiated in 1989 at his chapter's centennial celebration.
Business career
In 1950 he became co-owner of the family company, named Alf Bjercke. He served as CEO from 1966 to 1971. When Alf Bjercke (the company) was incorporated into JotunJotun (company)
Jotun A/S is one of the world's leading producers of paints, coatings and powder coatings. The group has 70 companies and 38 production facilities on all continents. In addition, Jotun has agents, branch offices and distributors in more than 80 countries...
in 1972, Bjercke served as chairman of the board until 1983 and then chaired the corporate council until 1988. He has also chaired the employers' association for paint and coating companies. He has also started other companies and brands, including Fjordplast and the first Norwegian bottled water brand Norwater. From 1963 to 1993 he was the consul-general
Consul (representative)
The political title Consul is used for the official representatives of the government of one state in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship between the peoples of the two countries...
for Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...
in Norway.
Research
At the age of 69, Bjercke took up private research on Norwegian dragoonDragoon
The word dragoon originally meant mounted infantry, who were trained in horse riding as well as infantry fighting skills. However, usage altered over time and during the 18th century, dragoons evolved into conventional light cavalry units and personnel...
s in Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein
Schleswig-Holstein is the northernmost of the sixteen states of Germany, comprising most of the historical duchy of Holstein and the southern part of the former Duchy of Schleswig...
from 1758 to 1762. These dragoons were border guards, but never saw military action. His interest in the topic spawned when he discovered that a distant ancestor from the Eidsvoll
Eidsvoll
is a municipality in Akershus county, Norway. It is part of the Romerike traditional region. The administrative centre of the municipality is the village of Sundet.-Name:...
area had been such a dragoon. In 1999 the University of Kiel
University of Kiel
The University of Kiel is a university in the city of Kiel, Germany. It was founded in 1665 as the Academia Holsatorum Chiloniensis by Christian Albert, Duke of Holstein-Gottorp and has approximately 23,000 students today...
published a work by Bjercke, Norwegische Kätnersöhne als königliche Dragoner. He would try to submit this work to the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
as a thesis, possibly earning the dr.philos. degree. An obstacle was his lack of a formal degree of higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
. The candidacy for the doctorate met opposition in the university, and the case was delayed for several years before the university finally rejected to take it up for doctoral assessment.
Bjercke has also released an autobiography: Back-up av et rikt liv (2001), as well as many other books.
Organizations
Bjercke was among the founders of the Anders Lange PartyProgress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
, later known as the Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
. He later resigned his membership because he disagreed on a number of issues. From 1974 to 1976 he was a board member of the Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
Conservative Party
Conservative Party of Norway
The Conservative Party is a Norwegian political party. The current leader is Erna Solberg. The party was since the 1920s consistently the second largest party in Norway, but has been surpassed by the growth of the Progress Party in the late 1990s and 2000s...
. He also served one term in Oslo city council. Some time around Siv Jensen
Siv Jensen
Siv Jensen is a Norwegian conservative-liberal politician, and the current leader of the Progress Party. She was the Progress Party's candidate for Prime Minister in the 2009 parliamentary election.-Early and personal life:...
's takeover as party leader he rejoined the Progress Party.
Bjercke was also a founder of the Norwegian Organization for Asylum Seekers, and has been a board member. He has also held board/council memberships in the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation
The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Its task is to ensure effective foreign aid, with quality assurance and evaluation. NORAD both finances NGOs, and does its own research and projects. The current director general is...
, the World Wildlife Fund, Norway and the Norway-America Association, and has been involved in Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
. He has been an initiator for restoration of the world's oldest steamship Skibladner
Skibladner
PS Skibladner is a paddle steamer operating on the lake of Mjøsa in Norway.Skibladner is a sidewheel design, and her maiden voyage was on 2 August 1856, making her the world's oldest paddle steamer still in timetabled service...
for traffic, and has vice-chaired the board that is responsible for the ship Christian Radich. Representing the sports club IF Ready, he was deputy chairman of the Norwegian Athletics Association
Norwegian Athletics Association
The Norwegian Athletics Association is the national governing body for the sport of athletics in Norway, including track and field, road running, cross country running and racewalking...
in 1968, before being elected to chairman at the 1968 congress, serving from 1969 to 1972. He was a member of the Norwegian Olympic Committee
Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports
The Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports is the umbrella organization for sport in Norway. It is the largest volunteering organization in Norway, with more than 2 million members, and 12000 sports clubs, in 19 region confederatons and 56 national federations...
during the leadership period. He led the athletic team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Bjercke has been decorated with the Order of St. Olav, and has also been decorated by the Tunisian state as a Commander, by the Emperor Haile selassie with an Off. of the Star of Ethipia and by Rotary International
Rotary International
Rotary International is an organization of service clubs known as Rotary Clubs located all over the world. The stated purpose of the organization is to bring together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help...
with the Paul Harris Medal with 5 sapphires.