Rolf Hougen, the Whitehorse businessman, broadcasting pioneer, historian and philanthropist, is being remembered as a “true Yukoner” and a towering figure in the territory’s history.
“He was so influential on so many fronts, but I was always impressed by how forward-thinking [he was]. It wasn’t just his projects and his family businesses, but he realized they could only thrive … [by] making the Yukon better, making the Yukon thrive,” said Helene Dobrowolsky, a friend and historian who wrote The Hougen Family in the Yukon in 2012.
“He was always looking ahead to what was good for the Yukon.”
Hougen, who died last week at 95, opened his first retail store in Whitehorse in 1944 and it soon grew into a full department store. From there, Hougen built and expanded his businesses to include a radio station, the North’s first satellite television network, a car dealership and more. The Hougen Group of Companies is still thriving.