NorthRim Engineering

Steve is a Renaissance Man, it’s the only way to describe him. From Britannica Encyclopedia a Renaissance man is described as: “an ideal that developed in Renaissance Italy that a man can do all things if he will. The man described was considered the center of his universe, limitless in his capacities for development. The thought that a man should try to embrace all knowledge and develop their own capacities as fully as possible.”

The man who wrote that description must have known Leonardo Da Vinci, or had a Steve type person that he knew back in that time. Steve studied Environmental Engineering and Piano Performance at the University of Minnesota. He completed Bachelors and Masters degrees in Civil Engineering, and is registered as a Professional Engineer in the State of Alaska. Steve also studied jazz piano with Manfredo Fest, and was a member of the Twin Cities Musicians Union, playing gigs on weekends to pay for college. Steve played woodwinds and keyboards, even playing in a polka band throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin. During the summer he was one of 60 Lifeguards for the eleven-lake system in Ramsey County.

About himself Steve relates, “I am Owner/Engineer of NorthRim Engineering, providing environmental engineering throughout Alaska”. Steve completes computer models of rainfall events for large subdivisions, ocean current modeling for fish processing, water and wastewater projects throughout the state. He designed the largest highway retaining walls in Juneau. His work has been published in Civil Engineering magazine and lauded by the Governor’s office.    

“My personal goals are to have fun in everything that I do. I am comfortable going solo; I can, and do travel all over the world by myself.”

“I love living in Alaska and the adventures that come to me because of it. My family comes from Minnesota, a Swedish/Norwegian background, with expectations of a family work ethic to do a good job. The U.S. Air Force transferred me to Alaska from Colorado Springs; where I raced on the alpine ski team. I was an environmental engineer and Captain in the USAF.”

“I enjoy skiing and have won several metals in races that challenged me with doing my best. I like writing, one of my published articles was in Alaska Magazine about my adventures with my son Hans in the mountains hunting, and being hunted by a bear.”

“For now, I’m interested in staying in Alaska, my company is here, but I love to get out and see the world and expand my knowledge of the world around me. There is always something interesting to do or places to experience, especially as an Alaskan. When I say I am from Alaska people open up and share their experiences with me about their adventures in Alaska or wanting to know more about it. Alaska is a unique place, and it is the Last Frontier.”

“I like reading, writing, hunting, fishing, hikes, water sports, gardening and bike riding. I pump iron every day in the gym, and also some type of cardio workout. I compete with myself to always do my best performance, to find another way to improve or adjust my abilities. Music -I love music! All kinds of music from classical to jazz, regularly playing Chopin, Mozart, Bach to Thelonius Monk and Bill Evans. I have played jazz around Anchorage, including Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Anchorage. I auditioned for Anchorage Symphony Conductor George Hanson and played some concerts in years past.”  

“When I am skiing across a blanket of fresh snow, and a under a deep blue ski it really helps me unwind and it also helps my imagination wander off and explore all kinds of ideas and new goals.”

“I love meeting new people as I travel to different areas. I find people friendly and interesting and they sometimes turn into lifelong friends. I hiked the Milford Track in New Zealand, meeting a couple from the Netherlands. I have biked with them in the Netherlands and last year they came to Alaska to hike and go whitewater rafting. I found the New Zealanders’ so open and willing to greet you with a hello and a warm welcoming smile on their face.”

“I have an interesting heritage. My Great Grandmother was Sami, from northern Sweden, which is related to the Alaskan Inuit, in the circumpolar region. My Father & Grandfather had jet-black hair from the Sami gene but I got the blond and blue eyes from my Swedish side. I’m a Christ follower, non-smoker and I do drink occasionally.”

I loved meeting Steve, and see him as tenderhearted, and the kind of person you meet and feel like you have always known him. He’s made of sturdy stuff, unafraid to pursue whatever dreams and goals he wants, a man’s man. I would say he is a genuine and honest and a very proud and loving father of two children, Hans and Ingrid.