John Arthur Engebretsen (1 March 1892 – 16 October 1956) was a New Zealand lawn bowls player, who won a bronze medal for his country at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Early life and family

Born on 1 March 1892, Engebretsen was the son of Annie Paulina Engebretsen (née Pedersen) and Otto Engebretsen. He was educated at Dannevirke High School.

Arthur Engebretsen

On 20 May 1914, Engebretsen married Katherine Jack Nicol.

Arthur Engebretsen

Teaching career

Engebretsen became a schoolteacher, and in February 1941 he took up the post of headmaster at Mahora School in Hastings. He served in that role until retiring in May 1951.

Arthur Engebretsen

Lawn bowls

Engebretsen won two national lawn bowls championship titles: the men's singles representing the Napier Bowling Club in 1935; and as skip of the Heretaunga Bowling Club combination that won the men's fours in 1945.

At the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, he was a member of the New Zealand men's four—alongside teammates Fred Russell, Noel Jolly and Pete Skoglund—that won the bronze medal.

Later life and death

Engebretsen died on 16 October 1956, and was buried at Hastings Cemetery. He had been predeceased by his wife, Kate, in 1951.

References

External links

Photograph of Engebretsen with the other members of the New Zealand champion four from 1945

1892 births

1956 deaths

New Zealand people of Norwegian descent

People educated at Dannevirke High School

Heads of schools in New Zealand

New Zealand male bowls players

Commonwealth Games bronze medallists for New Zealand

Bowls players at the 1950 British Empire Games

Commonwealth Games medallists in lawn bowls

Sportspeople from Dannevirke

Burials at Hastings Cemetery, New Zealand

Medallists at the 1950 British Empire Games