Ivar Opgaard, 85, of Stuart, Florida passed away peacefully on November 29, 2013.
Ivar was born in Alta, Norway on July 20, 1928. He met his future wife, Sigrun Vistnes, while serving in the Norwegian Air Force in Stavanger, Norway. They were married on April 3, 1954.
In 1957 he moved to the United States to establish himself in the computer industry. He worked for Teleregister, the first company to create a computerized airline reservations system as well as an electronic stock reporting system for stock brokerages. Later he worked for Philips electronics, where he helped create a new generation air traffic control system for the Federal Aviation Administration.
For the last decade of his career he worked for Ergotech, in Danbury, Connecticut where he helped integrate ergonomic technology into many companies including Boeing, Sikorsky and Harley-Davidson.
Ivar retired in 2002 and moved from Ridgefield, Connecticut, his home of 39 years, to Stuart, Florida. A member of Sons of Norway, he served many Lodge officer positions including President of Skaugum Lodge in Stamford, Connecticut. In Florida he was a Trustee of Sons of Norway Gulfstream Lodge. Ivar volunteered at Martin Memorial Hospital. He also served as a building President of Conquistador Condominium.
Ivar is survived by his wife of 59 years, Sigrun Opgaard, son Reidar Opgaard of Newton, Alabama; daughter Anna Brooks of Vero Beach; daughter Irene Mardal of Bethel, Connecticut; son Andrew Opgaard of Cornwall, Connecticut and daughter Ingrid Opgaard of Vero Beach. He has five grandchildren: Andrew Opgaard, Brendan Opgaard, Christina Sansolo, Thomas DiLillo and Mitchelson Brooks.
In Norway, Ivar is survived by brothers Leiv Opgrd, Per Opgrd, Gudmond Opgrd and sister Ingeborg Li.
There will be a celebration of his life on Sunday, December 15th at the Conquistador Club House in Stuart, Florida at 11:00 am.