It is with profound sorrow and heavy hearts that we have received the news of Olaf Tufte’s passing.
Our thoughts are first and foremost with Aina, the children, and the rest of Olaf’s family and loved ones. At a time of unimaginable and unbearable grief, we wish to express our deepest sympathy. Our sorrow at losing Olaf is immense, but we know that no one feels this loss more deeply than those who were closest to him.
To us at Tufte, Olaf was far more than the company’s founder and co-owner. He was a dear friend, a colleague, an inspiration, and a pillar in the lives of so many of us. With his warmth, courage, passion, and indomitable will, he left a lasting impression on people wherever he went.
Olaf did not simply build a company. He built a community. He brought people together around the values he believed in, and throughout his life he showed that it is possible to succeed without losing sight of who you are. He met people with honesty, curiosity, and respect, and he had a rare ability to make others feel seen.
It is difficult to imagine Tufte without Olaf. His personality, values, and convictions are woven into everything the company is today. He was the driving force behind so much of what we created, but he was also its heart. That is precisely why we will put even more of ourselves into the work ahead and carry Tufte Wear forward in Olaf’s spirit, stronger than ever.
Even as we grieve this loss, we also feel a profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for having had the opportunity to work alongside him, learn from him, laugh with him, and be part of his journey. Olaf gave more to those around him than he may ever have realized. He left a profound mark on all of us.
Olaf’s legacy lives on in the people whose lives he touched, in the values he stood for, and in the company he helped build. We will carry that legacy forward with pride, respect, and love.
Per Øyvind Jacobsen
Managing Director, Tufte Wear