Johan Erik Hvide
September 5, 1948 — July 15, 2020
JOHAN ERIK HVIDE
born on September 5th, 1948 in Glen
Cove, NY, son of Hans Johan and Elsa Mosse Hvide,
husband to Betsy Frances Schmidt Hvide, father to
Leif-Erik and Johan Anders Hvide, grandfather to
Magnus Johan, Hans Kristoffer, and Hákon Erik Hvide
passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved
ones on July 15th, 2020. He is predeceased by his
parents and sister Elsa.
Erik was a man who spent his life defying odds. He possessed the stubborn
determination of a true Viking. At the age of seven he was diagnosed with
polio and his doctors said that he would not survive - but he did; his doctors said that he would never get out of an iron lung - but he did; his doctors said that he would never get out of a wheelchair - but he did, going on to become a varsity golfer for Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, where he graduated in 1965. He went on to University of Miami, where he was president of Alpha Kappi Psi business fraternity, a member of ODK the highest national leadership and scholastic fraternity, and graduated in 1970 with a BBA. He did continuing education through Harvard. But like the Beach Boys’ song, Erik loved and was true to his high school for the rest of his life.
He married his sweetheart, Betsy in the Chapel of Saint Andrew on May 29, 1971, and both of their sons, Leif-Erik and Johan Anders, were also graduates. He served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years, including as Chairman. Under his leadership, the school began a new era, calling Rev. George Andrews as the new Headmaster, implementing a long range Master Plan, and successfully launched it’s first capital campaign.
Erik’s personal donations were responsible for the construction of the Saint Andrew’s Lower School, but true to his quiet modesty Erik would
not permit the facilities to be named in his honor.
Erik was a consummate businessman who loved his work with absolute passion. He joined his father Hans at Hvide Marine in 1970 and went on
to become its President in 1981, CEO in 1991, and Chairman in 1994.
Under Erik’s leadership, the company grew from a small family tugboat
operation into a global shipping company with offshore and harbor
tugs, offshore supply vessels, and chemical tankers. He led the company in an Initial Public Offering in 1996, raising $1.5 billion in
capital and growing the company from 23 vessels to one of the world’s leading providers of global marine support services with a fleet of 273 ships, 2500 employees, operations in 20 countries around the world, and revenues of $400 million.
Hailed by Maritime Executive as an “unquestionably innovative, undoubtedly brilliant” leader in the maritime industry, Erik invented the revolutionary Catug tanker and the SDM tugboat for which he holds two patents in vessel design. His professional achievements include induction into the International Maritime Hall of Fame, Master Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, International Executive of the Year by the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Congressional Appointee to the U.S.
Coast Guard, Counsel Member of the American Bureau of Shipping and board member of various industry, corporate, and bank boards. Erik also loved to serve his local and religious communities, having served for various parishes in South Florida as well as having lobbied the State of Florida to protect the natural tree corridor along A1A in Gulf Stream and was made Mayor for the day.
He was a member
of the Gulf Stream B&T, Lauderdale Yacht Club, RPY&CC, Country Club of Florida and Cat Cay Yacht Club where he spent many years at his home Manor House. Erik is and always will be a giant among men. But his greatest accomplishments were not the ones that made the papers but rather the quiet ones he shared with friends and family. For us you were a truly special husband, father, and friend and a shining example of how we should all lead our lives. We want to say thank-you. Thank-you for the many sacrifices you made; you taught us to put others first and that family is more important than anything. Thank-you for teaching us the art of storytelling; you always had us hanging at your every word and we can only hope to be as captivating as you. Thank you for all of the incredible adventures; together we learned to appreciate the journey and the world around us. Thank-you for teaching us the value of dedication and hard work; the standard you set is golden. Thank-you for your determination and perseverance; you have the heart of a lion and we can only strive to be as brave as you. Thank-you for teaching us to truly listen; you were always 110% in the moment, and there is nothing more powerful than to hear what others have to say. Thank-you for your unflappable calmness in the face of adversity; you are the original ‘keep calm and carry on.” Thank-you for showing us that anything is possible if you put your mind to it; there is nothing more satisfying than defying the odds and the critics. Thank-you for your kindness; you always had time for anyone and everyone. Thank-you for teaching us faith, forgiveness, and unconditional love; you are the perfect example of Christ’s teachings. You will be greatly missed and eternally loved.
born on September 5th, 1948 in Glen
Cove, NY, son of Hans Johan and Elsa Mosse Hvide,
husband to Betsy Frances Schmidt Hvide, father to
Leif-Erik and Johan Anders Hvide, grandfather to
Magnus Johan, Hans Kristoffer, and Hákon Erik Hvide
passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved
ones on July 15th, 2020. He is predeceased by his
parents and sister Elsa.
Erik was a man who spent his life defying odds. He possessed the stubborn
determination of a true Viking. At the age of seven he was diagnosed with
polio and his doctors said that he would not survive - but he did; his doctors said that he would never get out of an iron lung - but he did; his doctors said that he would never get out of a wheelchair - but he did, going on to become a varsity golfer for Saint Andrew’s School in Boca Raton, where he graduated in 1965. He went on to University of Miami, where he was president of Alpha Kappi Psi business fraternity, a member of ODK the highest national leadership and scholastic fraternity, and graduated in 1970 with a BBA. He did continuing education through Harvard. But like the Beach Boys’ song, Erik loved and was true to his high school for the rest of his life.
He married his sweetheart, Betsy in the Chapel of Saint Andrew on May 29, 1971, and both of their sons, Leif-Erik and Johan Anders, were also graduates. He served on the Board of Trustees for 12 years, including as Chairman. Under his leadership, the school began a new era, calling Rev. George Andrews as the new Headmaster, implementing a long range Master Plan, and successfully launched it’s first capital campaign.
Erik’s personal donations were responsible for the construction of the Saint Andrew’s Lower School, but true to his quiet modesty Erik would
not permit the facilities to be named in his honor.
Erik was a consummate businessman who loved his work with absolute passion. He joined his father Hans at Hvide Marine in 1970 and went on
to become its President in 1981, CEO in 1991, and Chairman in 1994.
Under Erik’s leadership, the company grew from a small family tugboat
operation into a global shipping company with offshore and harbor
tugs, offshore supply vessels, and chemical tankers. He led the company in an Initial Public Offering in 1996, raising $1.5 billion in
capital and growing the company from 23 vessels to one of the world’s leading providers of global marine support services with a fleet of 273 ships, 2500 employees, operations in 20 countries around the world, and revenues of $400 million.
Hailed by Maritime Executive as an “unquestionably innovative, undoubtedly brilliant” leader in the maritime industry, Erik invented the revolutionary Catug tanker and the SDM tugboat for which he holds two patents in vessel design. His professional achievements include induction into the International Maritime Hall of Fame, Master Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst and Young, International Executive of the Year by the Ft. Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, Congressional Appointee to the U.S.
Coast Guard, Counsel Member of the American Bureau of Shipping and board member of various industry, corporate, and bank boards. Erik also loved to serve his local and religious communities, having served for various parishes in South Florida as well as having lobbied the State of Florida to protect the natural tree corridor along A1A in Gulf Stream and was made Mayor for the day.
He was a member
of the Gulf Stream B&T, Lauderdale Yacht Club, RPY&CC, Country Club of Florida and Cat Cay Yacht Club where he spent many years at his home Manor House. Erik is and always will be a giant among men. But his greatest accomplishments were not the ones that made the papers but rather the quiet ones he shared with friends and family. For us you were a truly special husband, father, and friend and a shining example of how we should all lead our lives. We want to say thank-you. Thank-you for the many sacrifices you made; you taught us to put others first and that family is more important than anything. Thank-you for teaching us the art of storytelling; you always had us hanging at your every word and we can only hope to be as captivating as you. Thank you for all of the incredible adventures; together we learned to appreciate the journey and the world around us. Thank-you for teaching us the value of dedication and hard work; the standard you set is golden. Thank-you for your determination and perseverance; you have the heart of a lion and we can only strive to be as brave as you. Thank-you for teaching us to truly listen; you were always 110% in the moment, and there is nothing more powerful than to hear what others have to say. Thank-you for your unflappable calmness in the face of adversity; you are the original ‘keep calm and carry on.” Thank-you for showing us that anything is possible if you put your mind to it; there is nothing more satisfying than defying the odds and the critics. Thank-you for your kindness; you always had time for anyone and everyone. Thank-you for teaching us faith, forgiveness, and unconditional love; you are the perfect example of Christ’s teachings. You will be greatly missed and eternally loved.
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