Roar was an artist.
He was an artist when it came to food, but also an artist in the face of places, people and life itself.
He was an artist in the face of love. On its own, quirky and a little purist stabbern way.
He had an eye for so many of us. Imperceptible he took people into your life, into work, into competence areas as he saw that they had the potential for long before they saw it.
But he saw it. And he took many of us there. He was infinitely loyal to the projects and to the people that he had hand picked as its people.
At the same time was no more important than Wim and Tidemann.
No, he was more loyal than his family.
Wim and Tidemann. No one, he loved more than his two sons
He grew up in Trondheim and took care of the friends he handpicked there. The best of the best: all on their ways: in their areas.
He loved food and loved to cook. Unfancy real food. Food to gather around, establish community through. Roar left footprints, Kampen and a variety of hand-picked locations around the country.
Roar was among the best, most creative and innovative chefs in this country. But also a man who meant so very much to many, through the art to see, learn and participate in projects with others-he set new standards. Defaults to strive for.
Roar gave us the freedom to learn from life. Understanding yourself and learn what was good for. He did it for many but especially for his boys. Hamarøya was his second home and his paradise.
"The lads are going to learn how to fish sea trout," he said firmly.
Gently but convincing filled with confidence he let them take over the helm.
"They should learn to drive a boat. They will learn to hold a steady course."
So this beautiful summer in the North this year, the boys both set course and stay the course, and they were fishing with Roar, and they have prepaired the fish and cooking. Together: bright sunny summer nights.
He did all the cooking, to her sister's wedding. It was so strong that no one could eat it. When Uncle Hans commented strength he replied briefly and precisely:
"The food is not strong!"
He had a period when he enjoyed salty food well. When this was commented he replied:
"It is not salt."
"The wine is corked" said Roar when a Spanish wine for n.kr. 4500 was put on the table at Noma in Copenhagen.
World's best restaurant.
Of course we should there.
The waitress picked up the head waiter who disagreed.
"The wine e corked" said Roar.
The headwaiter obtained sommelier.
He disagreed.
"The wine e corked" said Roar. Sommelier obtained René Redzepi. There was a post war. The cork was taken on a silver platter and sniffed. After 20 minutes of smelling and heated exchange says Roar.
"In 1991, when this wine was bottled manufacturer had so little money that they had to buy into a party with bad cork."
When the evening was over and all the guests had gone away then come the Sommerlieren to Roar and said.
"It was corked!"
Man of few words. But a man with qualifying words when they arrived.
At the same time: the Now, living in the moment as the guiding star. The joy of life.
Three weeks ago a got the phone I had hoped from Roar ;
"I, Trine and Even going up to Sandhornøy and helps you with SALT."
Thursday, two days after they were in place.
What was clear was that nothing was clear.
Roar had the same calm as always. Ability to improvise. Ability to complete the same high quality that he will never compromise on. Never. At the same time he built always team, a trait that made many gathered around him.
Roar took his people with the "Golden Scissors".
During one day they had built up the grill: Favelagrillen of driftwood and residual plank Prep 160 kg venison and made ready food for a couple of thousand people who came to SALT on opening weekend.
Friday danced the nothern lights godess on the sky above Sandhornøy.
Saturday was the most beautiful day in the North this year. There was no wind, hot, the kids swimming in the sea and many gathered around the favela to enjoy the day, food and life.
Roar did what he liked best. He made food with love. He had good friends around him.
It went very short time since he felt until he was in in the rescue helicopter bound for the hospital in Bodø. The family was contacted and news about the state we got during the night was not encouraging.
Sunday morning, the family gathered in Bodø. The doctors said that todays situation was so bad that we had to prepare ourselves that we could lose him in a short time. That evening: with family and friends around them gathered in despair at Kampen Bistro started Roar breathing by himself again. Love is so strong and the will of Roar was so strong. He would decide when to travel.
He would give Wim, Tidemann, Elin, Bjørn, May, Ann Kristin, everyone in the family and friends that he was so incredibly dear, time. The time to be there with him, time to reconcile and prepare that his time had come. That forces ebbed away.
For the family, it has been overwhelmingly well with all the support and messages that have been written about Roar. All the words and stories that have come. Mother May said that all the good things which have taken the worst of the pain in this tongue time.
Finally, I will recite one of the many facebook messages, Gunn Møller, which meant a lot:
"I salute you Roar.
For a man and a heart.
You are like the song to Bjørn Eidsvåg, I See!
You saw when people needed the extra support in life.
You gave them a lifeline and you were a monument in their life.
What we have learned from you Roar is that the greatest of all is love. "
