He was born in Tromsø in Troms, Norway. His parents were to headmaster Albert Fredrik Johan Vesterlid (1855–1904) and Kristine Marie Espenes (1861–1935). He was married to Gerd Zachariassen (1895-1979) and was the father of architect Are Vesterlid. He graduated from the Norwegian Institute of Technology (NTH) in 1918. He conducted study trips to Gothenburg in 1918; Denmark and Germany in 1930; Hungary and England in 1936. He attended Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1952.
