Irgens, Henning C. F.

Born at Oslo; graduated a Norwegian school for the deaf at age 14. During his school years, witnessed the German invasion of Norway in 1940 and suffered many deprivations during the 5-year occupation. Postwar, took vocational training in tailoring, then transferred to a hearing high school from which he graduated at about 21. Entered Gallaudet College in 1952, graduating with a B.A. in 1957. Married Betty Louise Lydick. Taught at the North Dakota School for the Deaf, then attempted to get a teaching position in Norway, but was rejected because of the then oral-only education philosophy. Returning to the U.S., taught at another school for the deaf, then earned am M.S. from California State University at Northridge (1964). Became a vocational-technical counselor in Michigan for 20 years, then taught part-time for several years. His wife died in an auto accident, and he remarried to Sharon Kay Wood (q.v.), relocating to Farmington, NM for retirement, though he also served on the board of regents for the NM School for the Deaf.