Erik Tonne Huitfeldt

Erik Tønne Huitfeldt of Washington, D.C. died peacefully on Nov. 14, 2023 after a series of serious illnesses. He was 67.

Born in Oslo, Norway on Dec. 17, 1955, Erik grew up to study and practice law as a graduate of the University of Oslo in 1984. He served as an attorney, judge and department head at the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, a position that inspired his mid-career pursuit of a graduate degree as a Fulbright Scholar attending Harvard Law School.

Thanks to serendipitous window/aisle airplane seating between Newark and Boston, Erik met his future wife, Rebecca, in the summer of 1991. They were married in 1997 and shared 32 memorable years and millions of magical moments together – in sickness and in health. That fateful flight also sparked Erik’s extraordinary financial sector consulting career based in the U.S., which spanned two decades with the IMF, IFC, World Bank and USAID, where he assisted in developing functioning markets in 41 countries across all continents.

Erik was an avid tennis, sailing and skiing enthusiast for most of his life, transitioning to joyful spectating of several sports when illness emerged in recent years that disrupted his mobility. Intellectually curious by nature, he was also a self-proclaimed petrolhead. Erik rarely missed a Formula One race on TV and never truly moved past parting with his old model Alfa Romeo that he always recalled wistfully as his sweetest ride.

Being a loving father to his four children, Agnes and Tønne in Norway, and Thomas (age 20) and Henrik (age 16) in the U.S., was unquestionably Erik’s most cherished role. His kids have always been his top priority and his greatest source of pride and admiration as they have each grown into their own. Hearing about the birth and ongoing antics of his young grandchilden in Norway -- Axel (son of Agnes and Aleksander) and Olivia (daughter of Tønne and Elise) -- continuously enriched his whole soul.

Erik is also survived by his brother Henrik and wife Anette, his aunt Lise, many cousins, nieces and nephews. He treasured his life, his friends and his family and set the standard for having a happy heart and living vibrantly with strength, dignity, optimism and grit. He will be missed and remembered fondly by many with whom he shared countless relished moments.

Rebecca and the children will be hosting a remembrance reception celebrating Erik in Norway. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, donations may be made to the Patient Advocate Foundation in honor of Erik here. https://www.patientadvocate.org/?campaign=469415