Pål Wessel

Pål Wessel, 64, sadly passed away in his home in Nittedal on March 26, 2024, following a battle with brain cancer. Born in Sarpsborg, Norway on August 31, 1959, to parents Jan and Ingrid Wessel, he spent his youth earning clout in the table tennis underworld, sharpening his piano skills, and coding by night. In his career, Pål is known for creating GMT (Generic Mapping Tools) in 1988, an open-source mapping tool widely used in the Ocean, Earth, and Planetary sciences. As a professor at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, he wrote and contributed to almost 200 research publications, brought in several million dollars in grant money, pushed for more inclusive working environments, and taught thousands of students. He made countless friendships around the world, but always returned to the island of Oahu where he and his wife Jill made a home. In 2022, they retired to his home country of Norway. Amongst friends and family, Pål is remembered for his patience, humor, and kindness. He is survived by his wife Jill, children Erik and Malia, and siblings Petter and Unni. A celebration of life will be held at his Nittedal residence on May 26. If you want to know more about the service or would like to access his private memorial website, please contact us at mkwessel@mac.com.