Mr Knud Paust (also known as Karl Kristian Knut) Rommetvedt was born in Utsola, Haaland, Stavanger County, Norway, as Knud Paust Andersen on 11 February 1863.  He was christened 1 March the same year in the Church of Norway tradition.

His parents were Anders Helgesen (b. 13 September 1836 at Stordøen, d. 1915)) and Malene (née Halvorsdatter or Halvardsdatter; born 29 September 1837) Rommetvedt, who had married 21 October 1858 in Stord, Hordaland, Norway, d.1921).   His father was variously described as a school teacher, farmer, church singer, at one point a headmaster, who also dabbled in local politics, having been the mayor of Halland for a period.

He had ten siblings. His known siblings were Helge Andreas, b. 25 October 1859, Halvor Olai, b. 5 April 1861, and Gunnild Malene, b. 30 June 1865, Elen Karina, b. 1867, Anna Serina, b. 14 June 1870, Tollak Gjertinius, b. 1871, Malena Andrea, b. 1873 (d. 1891), Hans Jakob, b. 23 August 1875, Else Maria, b. 1877, and Hanna Olava, b. 3 November 1880.

Knud married Berta Tomine Lars Andreasdotter (b. 12 December 1867) on 21 September 1888. The couple had two sons: Anders Malenius, b. 5 July 1891 and christened 2 August at Sola, Rogaland, Norway (''Sola'' means "the Sun."); and Lars Andreas Ingolf (b. 1909).  The family lived on a farm in Halland.

Knud had worked at sea from a young age, rising to the rank of skipper on sailing ships before training to skipper steamers.

In 1912 Knud was to become second officer on the ship SS Norheim, docked in Philadelphia. To join that ship. He was travelling with two other Norwegian men destined for work on the Norheim, Hans Birkeland and Albert Moss. They boarded the Titanic at Southampton as third class passengers with Knud travelling on ticket number 312993 which cost £7, 15s, 6d and it is believed the three men shared a cabin on F-deck's forward portside.

On the night of the sinking Knud and his cabin mates were asleep but were awakened by a shudder running through the ship. The three men dressed and left their cabin, joining other steerage passengers who were gathering on the aft well deck. From here they watched several lifeboats depart. Albert Moss became separated from his two friends after returning to his cabin and he never saw them again.

Rommetvedt died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified.

His widow Tomine and children received £120 in assistance from the Mansion House relief fund.

Tomine never remarried and her eldest son ran the farm. She died in Sola, Norway on 29 April 1950.

His son Anders later married but had no children; he died on 23 November 1960 in Sola. His son Lars was married, raised two children and, like his father, worked at sea. He died on 10 October 1992.

Knud is remembered on his wife's headstone in Kirke churchyard, Sola, Norway.