Roar Svalheim 1931-2005

Cand. Psychol. and psychoanalyst, honorary member of the Norwegian Psychoanalytic Society, Roar Svalheim, died unexpectedly 28 May 2005, aged 74.

He grew up on a farm outside Oslo, the eldest of three siblings. In spite of being stricken with poliomyelitis at the age of 16, and having to persevere with hard physical training, he took A-levels, and in 1956, aged 25, completed his university degree in psychology.

At first, he worked as a psychologist at Dikemark hospital and during the 60's he became a University Lecturer. He was sincere and straightforward, a model for the combination of clinical work and academic training. He helped young students grasp what psychology was all about, and as a psychologist at Lovisenberg Hospital he explained complicated matters in ordinary terms for everybody to understand, and expressed himself freely in awkward situations.

In 1965, he became a member of the Norwegian Psychoanalytic Society, where his first honorary post was as Chairman of the Training Council. He continued as member of the Training Committee during 1973-1981, and was for a time Chairman, returning to this post in 1998. For several years in the early 70's, he served as member of the Board and was Chairman during 19831986. He joined the organising committee for the Nordic Conference for Psychoanalysts in Lillehammer in 1982, as well as for the Conference for Training Analyst Colleagues at Voksenåsen in 1989.

At home, his large family was his first priority. He never took work home, he said, when his children were small. One may wonder how this was possible with so many honorary posts.

For those of us in training during the 70's, 80's and 90's, and even after the turn of the century, he was training analyst, supervisor and seminar teacher, highly valued as a colleague, direct, insightful and wise. He came straight to the point using everyday language, was down-to-earth, friendly, cheerful and committed: “eager and honest” was how those who had the privilege of being the f