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Obituary: Jan Erik Hatling

It was with great sadness that the Faculty of Law received the news of the passing away of Jan Erik Hatling on Thursday 10 October.

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Jan Erik was cycling home as usual when he suddenly and unexpectedly became unwell and collapsed. A doctor arrived promptly and attempted to revive him, but to no avail.


Jan Erik Hatling was appointed to the Faculty of Law in 1991. At the time of his appointment, he already had extensive experience of organisational work connected to the University of Bergen. As a student in the Faculty of Arts, he was student representative on a number of boards. He was a member of the Student Council and the Board of the Faculty of Arts. He also chaired the Board of the Student Society of Bergen for a period. For four semesters, he was chairman of the Student Welfare Organisation in Bergen, where he was subsequently employed as administrative secretary for four years. Jan Erik’s academic background was in history, Nordic studies, social science, administration and organisational science.


Jan Erik thus had a great deal to offer when he started work in the secretarial section of the Faculty of Law. He was familiar with the organisation and had experience of financial management when he was appointed Higher Executive Officer in charge of budgetary and personnel matters. Jan Erik has therefore been instrumental in the development of the Faculty of Law.


Jan Erik was a member of the Faculty Board for several terms and was starting a new term this autumn. He has also held several other important positions in the Faculty, where he was on the Strategy Committee and the Research Committee. In such venues, Jan Erik's abilities in strategic thinking came into their own. He would skilfully present the overall perspectives of Faculty activities and demonstrate how such considerations were relevant for specific issues.


International matters also formed part of his area of responsibility. Jan Erik was a pioneer and initiator of the international activities of the Faculty, especially with regard to student exchanges, where he set up a number of important exchange agreements. His work has led to the current situation where the Faculty has over 100 bilateral agreements with foreign universities and over 40% of law students take part of their studies abroad.


Jan Erik had many good friends in the Faculty of Law and other departments of the University of Bergen. He was caring and inclusive towards his colleagues. Jan Erik could easily be approached for helpful advice on difficult issues, whether job-related challenges or other more personal struggles. He listened supportively and was loyal to all who turned to him. 


Jan Erik willingly volunteered to perform at social gatherings, where he was the natural focus of attention with his impressive baritone as a lead singer or soloist. The Faculty of Law deeply mourns the loss of Jan Erik Hatling as a competent colleague and a good friend. But we also know that Jan Erik was above all a home-loving man who did not neglect his roots, and who knew how to appreciate his loved ones. At this moment our warmest thoughts go to Jan Erik's wife and children, and to his other relatives and friends. We have all suffered a painful loss. 


In Loving Memory, Rest in Peace


Asbjørn Strandbakken, Dean of the Faculty
Øystein L. Iversen, Faculty Director