Histories

Factory owner Arne Rønneberg has died at the age of 51. The announcement of his death was not entirely unexpected, since he had been seriously sick for 6 weeks.

Ever since his childhood Arne Rønneberg had been interested in the canning industry through its many stages of development, in the same way as he had on many occasions travelled to the U.S.A., England and continental Europe on behalf of his company.

Rønneberg was a very faithful participator in the industry’s Associations. He was for a time vice-chairman in the Stavanger Canning Factories’ Association, and had also been a deputy member on the national Association’s Board for a number of years.

Arne Rønneberg had the confidence of all of his colleagues, and was looked up to as an exceptional person, appreciated by all.

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Arne Rønneberg was the eldest son of the late factory owner T. Rønneberg who established one of the first of the city’s canning factories in 1881. He obtained his eductaion in economics abroad, and was thus well prepared when he took over the business with his brother Einar in 1909. The T. Rønneberg company was not just a canning factory, but also a “steam kitchen” and a delicatessen company, and, in connection with that, also a slaughterhouse (butcher’s shop?) and sausage factory. It was that part of the business which was later taken over by Stavanger City Council, while the company continued the canning factory, which is still in operation (in 1926 – continued until 1975).

Such many-sided activity was in Arne Rønneberg’s nature, in that he was a man with a remarkable number of interests, and eyes open for all new developments. In this connection it can be mentioned that Arne Rønneberg was the first person in the town to own a car, and taught himself to be an outstanding amateur electrician. He wired the whole “steam kitchen” early on, and also used electricity for a whole range of uses both at home and in the business. If we remember correctly, Arne Rønneberg also developed many additional uses for electricity over the years.

He also participated in community life – he was for the last period a member of the Town Council, elected by the Right (political party). All the tasks that Arne Rønneberg undertook, he carried out in a very conscientious manner. However, he had no strong interest in official business, and thus used the first opportunity to decline to be re-elected.

Many had the impression that Arne Rønneberg was reserved by nature, and it was such that he did have a somewhat reserved attitude towards foreign clients. However, once he had got to know and trust someone, he was very open and relaxed. “He was a man whom you couldn’t help liking”, said one of his many friends.

Arne Rønneberg was a great reader and a remarkably knowledgeable man, who could hold his own on a large variety of subjects.

He leaves a wife and four children, two daughters and two sons.