LACONIA – Nils Olai Skorve died on March 15, 2018, at home in his winter residence. He was born in Bergen, Norway on June 20, 1929 to Ivar Skorve and Berit (Berge) Skorve. In an engineering career that spanned more than six decades, he was president and chief executive officer of EVROKS, a Lakes Region firm specializing in bridge building that he founded in 1983.
After attending local schools and serving in the Norwegian Army, Mr. Skorve first came to the United States as a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Focusing on structural engineering, he was awarded a Baccalaureate degree in Civil Engineering, and graduated in 1955. In college he was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and Ski team.
Following graduation he worked in Canada and several firms in the United States. Major affiliations as a consulting engineer included ARVIDA (Arthur Vining Davis), LEAP Associates in Florida, the first engineering firm in the country dedicated exclusively to the precast/prestressed concrete industry, and the DUES Corporation of Ohio, where he was Vice President. He was also part of the engineering team that developed new manufacturing facilities for PRINCE macaroni in New Jersey and Lowell, Massachusetts.
Nils came to New Hampshire in the 1960s and joined the Wescott Concrete Company, working on the Laconia Junior High School project, among others. In its 35 years to date, EVROKS grew with his leadership in projects of all sizes, throughout New Hampshire and other Northeastern communities. He is a former President of the Associated General Contractors of New Hampshire, elected following long term contributions of committee service and membership support.
He loved Gil Schohan, the most important person in his life, and their Cotton Hill home. Together they designed Troldhaugen, a hidden hilltop home with commanding vistas of area lakes, mountain ranges, and exquisite sunsets. Its name gave tribute to his birthplace and the 1885 Bergen villa of Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg, overlooking Nordas Lake, an ocean and seven mountains. Nils shared 36 years of milestones with “Gilsie”, including his United States citizenship on July 10, 1992 - marked with the installation of a tall flagpole at their cherished retreat. Hiking, skiing, herding cats and small dogs - along with the occasional visiting bear - were all favorite activities from home. Three generations of Norwegian relatives visited often, and he also enjoyed frequent returns to his beloved Scandinavian region.
Nils Olai Skorve was predeceased by his parents and brother Erling. He is survived by Golda Schohan of Laconia and Belmont, and her daughter Stacey Schohan of Naples, Florida. Norwegian survivors are two nephews Erik and Espen, and their families. The family of Erik includes spouse Solvi and three children, son Torstein , his partner Nina Langlo and their sons Eivind and Eskil, and two daughters, Ingvild and Astrid. Espen and Tjerste Skorve also have three children, Rikke, Mikel and Leo.
Honoring his request, a private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
For those that wish to make a memorial contribution, they may contribute to LRGHealthcare Emergency Room Fund, 80 Highland Street, Laconia NH 03246 or to a charity of their choice.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.