Erik F. Lorentzen was born on March 21, 1921, in Aker, d. Madserudhjemmet, Oslo, Norway. From 1941-1945, he was a pilot in Canada, Britain, and North Africa. He was the president of his family’s company, Oivind Lorentzen Rederi, from 1959-1983, and was later the owner of the company and on a number of boards. He was the vice president (1987-1991) and president (1991-1993) or Rescue Company.
Lorentzen was the son of shipping magnate Oivind Lorentzen and the brother of Erling Lorentzen and Princess Ragnhild. He married Eva and had two sons.