Roar Bryhn

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Roar Bryhn, who passed away on July 1, 2026.

Born on October 28, 1940, in Hokksund, Norway, during the German occupation of Norway in World War II, Roar was a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many.

Roar immigrated from Norway to the United States in 1959 at the age of 19 with his parents, settling in Brooklyn, New York. After working in manufacturing and spending a year at sea as a merchant mariner, he joined his father as a carpenter. Beginning as a young framer whose job was to hand-nail wood floor decking on framing crews, his determination and skill quickly became evident. Within just a few years, he became co-owner of a successful construction company with his partner, Helge Nilsen.

When his father suffered a serious injury, Roar assumed responsibility for helping support his parents and younger siblings. Through his hard work and sacrifice, he made it possible for them to return to their family farm in Hokksund, Norway. Throughout his life, Roar quietly gave of himself for the benefit of others, often sacrificing far more than most people ever knew. Though he rarely spoke of it, his generosity was a testimony to the love and care he had for others, and it was often the way he showed it most clearly.

He was married to Anne Lise Bryhn, and together they lived in both Caldwell, New Jersey, and Søgne, Norway from the late 1960s through the early 1990s while raising their family.

Roar dedicated himself to his work and to providing for his family. He rarely asked anyone for help, preferring instead to quietly shoulder the burdens placed before him. Through the trade he loved-framing and building homes-he worked with a pace, determination, and endurance that few could match.

Raised in a Christian home, Roar trusted in Jesus Christ from an early age. Like many people, he wandered from the faith of his youth during much of his adult life. In later years, he looked back on that time with humility and regret. It weighed heavily on him, and those who knew him well recognized that he often immersed himself in work, always keeping busy and moving forward, as a way of avoiding painful reflection. In his final years, he returned to the faith that had first been taught to him and came to rest in the assurance that forgiveness of sins is found only through faith in Jesus Christ. Though naturally private and reserved about deeply personal matters, his joy became evident whenever he heard about the Christian walk of his children and grandchildren. More than their accomplishments or possessions, he would often say that their faith was what mattered most. He became increasingly grateful for the many blessings God had given him and for the family he now leaves behind.

Roar was the former husband of Anne Lise Bryhn. He was the beloved father of Torund Diane Bryhn, Roy Ståle Bryhn and his wife, Lisa, and Jason Bryhn. He was the cherished grandfather of Kristen and her husband, Zachary Houghton; Sarah; David; Grace; Paul; Silas; Anna Michelle; Linnea; and Helena. He was the dear brother of Anita Bryhn and the late Harry Bryhn and Ellinor Bæra.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Anders Bryhn and Borghild Pauline Bryhn.

Roar will be remembered for his work ethic, his character, and the lasting impact he had in shaping the lives of his children and grandchildren. His life reminds us that our greatest hope is found not in what we accomplish during the short time we are given, but in the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, which leads to salvation and the promise of eternal life in heaven, where there is no more sorrow, no more tears, and all things are made new.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Market Street Mission, P.O. Box 1937, Morristown, NJ 07960, in memory of Roar