Geir Ivarsøy obituary

GEIR IVARSØY

Thursday March 9 was a sad day for everyone at Opera Software. That day,
co-founder Geir Ivarsøy died after a long fight with cancer. Geir's fight
demonstrated his strength to us all. Geir showed us the way. Many others
would have given up after years of bad news. Geir displayed his mental
strength during difficult times.

Geir first got sick in 1997. Shortly thereafter he implemented so-called
stylesheets (or CSS, a language used in almost all Web pages today) in the
Opera browser, with advice from Håkon Wium Lie. By that time, Håkon had
already spent three years guiding Microsoft and Netscape [in the use of
CSS], but Geir managed to create a better implementation in only three
months, while sick.

In this period we were also contacted by a big international company which
wanted to acquire Opera Software. It would have been understandable if
Geir supported the opportunity, given his health, but Geir preferred to
continue building the company.

Geir was a role model for many of us. Geir managed to combine work and
family life. He came early to work and left early. But when he was at work
he created wonders, something he willingly shared with others. At home he
spent time with his family and was an active contributor on many levels. A
true role model for the rest of us. After his kids went to bed he often
spent hours solving complex technical problems. He brought the results
with him to work the next day.

We will all miss Geir. Geir contributed to making Opera Software to what
it is today. He never spoke loudly [Norwegian expression] about his
abilities. He was a reserved man but we will remember him as a hero and
someone who championed a better world.

Jon S. von Tetzchner and all employees in Opera Software ASA