Background
Alvheim was born in Øygarden, Hordaland, to fisherman and farmer Joakim Knutsen Alvheim (1893–1958) and housewife Ingeborg Larsen (1895–1972).
politician member of the Parliament of Norway
Alvheim was born in Øygarden, Hordaland, to fisherman and farmer Joakim Knutsen Alvheim (1893–1958) and housewife Ingeborg Larsen (1895–1972).
From 1954 to 1956 he worked in the Norwegian Navy as a Medical Quartermaster, and finished his education as a nurse anesthetist.
He was a nurse anesthetist by profession, and served as aid worker in several developing countries during the 1970s. Alvheim was highly respected, also by his political opponents, for his vigorous fight for society"s disadvantaged. During the 1980s he however changed to the Progress Party, and in 1989 was elected into the Norwegian parliament from Telemark.
To his honor, the "Honorary Award of John I. Alvheim" (John I Alvheims ærespris) has since 2005 been awarded annually by the Progress Party to someone who has made a special effort for the weak in society.
Alvheim was present to give the first award himself at the Progress Party national convention on 21 May 2005, but died in December later the same year of a heart attack after many years being a smoker.
Alvheim started his political career for the Christian Democratic Party. He was elected to a local office in Notodden for the party in 1967 and was a deputy Member of Parliament for the party from 1973 to 1977.
He was a member of the Health Committee from 1989 to 2005, the last eight years as its leader.