Born in Oslo, Norway in 1929, Jan was the son of the late Eilif Stoud Platou and Lilly Lehmkuhl.
He was educated in Oslo before attending Heriot- Watt College in Edinburgh, Scotland, graduating with a degree in chemical engineering.
Jan had a long and distinguished career working with The Sulphur Institute in Washington, D.C. and at various locations around the world. He came to live in the United States of America in 1967 and he proudly became an American citizen in 1972.
Married to Daphne Wood, he was father to three children before the marriage ended in divorce.
Jan remarried Marjorie Nelson in 1988.
Jan retired in 1989 to enjoy his many interests. He was a man of nature who loved to hike the mountains of Norway, the hills of Virginia, and the paths of his beloved MacMahan Island, Maine, where he served on the board and as president. He loved to fly-fish and to scavenge for Chanterelles. He was a gourmet cook and a wine connoisseur, an avid reader and an amateur photographer. He loved Mozart, Bach, opera, and he was never one to turn down a good martini. He was proud of his Norwegian heritage as evidenced by the many Norwegian flags he had flying and the “uff dah!” he was known to utter.
He was predeceased by his brother, Christian Platou of Oslo, Norway, and his son, Christopher Stoud Platou of Washington, D.C.
Jan is survived by his wife of 25 years, Marjorie Nelson Platou, and his two children, Andrew Stoud Platou of Bethesda, MD and his wife Cynthia, and Lise Kristina Popps of McLean, VA and her husband Dean and their children, Steven, Jason, George and Christina.
A celebration of Jan’s life will take place Aug. 1, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Brunswick Hotel and Tavern.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 383 U.S. Route 1 #2C, Scarborough, ME 04074.
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