Svein Edland was born in Salmon River (Lakselv), Norway, in 1951 to Elsa and Tor Edland of Norway, passed away July 16, 2009, in a motorcycle accident close to his home in Loveland, Colorado.

Svein excitedly came to the U.S. in 1980 with his wife, Maggi Brehm, then moved to Loveland from Chicago in 1981.  Svein received his education in Norway, graduating with a degree in design from Stavanger Art School. He continued his education in marketing, advertising and the arts and subsequently taught museum-related courses in Colorado and Wyoming.

Svein lived life with passion, vitality and curiosity. He loved paragliding and hang gliding, riding his favorite motorcycle, sailing Colorado lakes and the North Sea of Norway, snowboarding, skiing and traveling to new countries. He loved music, re-created it on his keyboard, and was a fabulous cook who shared his creations and Norwegian traditional fare with many happy diners. Svein’s zany sense of humor gave delight to many.

As curator of exhibits, Svein was a talented and avid contributor to the Loveland and Longmont museums and communities, helping to bring local and international history and art appreciation to the cities. One of his favorite annual exhibits was Dia de los Muertos, or Mexican Day of the Dead, hosted in concert with KUVO radio highlighting traditional Mexican festivities honoring loved ones.

Svein was a doting and proud father. He is survived by his children, Kristine and Kristoffer Edland and their mother, Marguerite Brehm; parents, Elsa and Tor; sister and husband Sidsel Edland, Eide and Lars Olaf Eide; and nieces, Inger-Therese and Silje Marie Eide; Uncles Sverre and Johann and Aunt Ruth, and many cousins in Harstad, Alta, and Stavanger, Norway; and special friend, Meg Coulter of Loveland.


A P3 USHPA rated paraglider pilot, and USHPA appointed tow technician,  he was vice president of Boulder Paragliding Club and tow assistant to Parasoft Paragliding School.

The following are testimonials of Svein's fellow pilots:

"Svein was among the first persons I met when I arrived at Boulder back in 2004.   There is in me much gratitude for having had the honor of interacting with such a fine, sensitive and uplifting human being.  In my own beliefs, there is no such thing as "he's gone" but rather he is with us all in a different plane, enjoyng his eternal flight"   Arturo J. Bencosme

"Being new to the flight community, Svein was very welcoming and nurturing.So eager to help me succeed and become a good pilot, with understanding.  A very patient and kind man.  He always wore a smile... You will be greatly missed."   Robin Wynne

"I will miss Svein whenever I fly. We flew together in Boulder, Williams Peak, Reader Mesa (he flew, I watched) in Tapalpa, Mexico, and elsewhere. He was such a careful and cautious pilot - some days, if it didn't feel right, he would stay on the ground and greet other pilots as they landed. I recall one memorable day in Tapalpa when many of us had pretty good flights. Svein was almost giddy when he landed and quickly shared the reason why - he had (finally, he said) got enough altitude in calm enough air to take out his camera and shoot a photo of his shoes. I could relate because I had done that too the previous year. I hope that photo is still around. "   David Glasser

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