A memorial service for Norbert Olberz, the founder of the Sport Chalet retail chain, is scheduled for Friday in La Canada Flintridge.

Olberz, 86, died of natural causes last Friday. He founded Sport Chalet in 1959 and served as chief executive of the La Canada Flintridge company until 1999. He retired as chairman in 2001.

Trained as a pastry chef, Olberz left his native Germany to come to Canada, eventually settling in the United States in 1955. After learning to ski on Oregon’s Mt. Hood, he sank $10,000 – his entire life savings – into opening a ski shop in La Canada Flintridge. Olberz eventually expanded into carrying equipment for team sports and other outdoor activities. In 1974, he opened a 30,000-square-foot store across the street from the original location, forming the foundation of what is now a chain of 55 stores in four states.

Sport Chalet went public in 1992. At the time of his death, Olberz was the fourth largest shareholder, controlling nearly 6 percent of shares of the company, which has a $31 million market cap. The sporting goods retailer, which had been hurt by the recession and competition from discounters, last month reported its first profitable quarter in more than three years.

Olberz is survived by his wife of 52 years, Irene; his sister, Elizabeth Lepper; his son, Eric Olberz; and grandchildren Karl and Markus Olberz.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon in the Van De Kamp Hall of Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Sierra Club Foundation, 85 Second Street, Suite 750, San Francisco, 94105 or to the La Canada Flintridge Educational Foundation, 4490 Cornishon Avenue, La Canada Flintridge, 91011.