Roger Kerr remembered for generosity and good humour

Roger Kerr championed free market economics. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Roger Kerr's huge contribution to New Zealand business, public policy and the economy were lauded at his farewell in Wellington this afternoon.

So, too, were the 66-year-old's "outstanding'' personal qualities, his lifelong insatiable thirst for knowledge, his "extraordinary'' work ethic and his copious energy.

The traditional funeral service in Thorndon's historic Old St Paul's Church drew hundreds of mourners, many of them well known faces. Family and friends were joined by economists, business leaders and politicians, along with former colleagues from Mr Kerr's time as a senior figure in both the New Zealand Treasury and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, his 25 years as executive director of free-market think-tank the Business Roundtable, and an array of other organisations he was involved with.

But, in a service in honour of his life, it was the man behind the public figure who emerged - the husband, father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend.

The officiant at the two-hour service was brother-in-law Reverend Canon Ronald Taylor, who was ordained in Old St Paul's Church 54 years ago.

In the eulogy friend and former colleague Bryce Wilkinson described Roger Kerr as one of the most talented men of his generation. Yet, deep down, he was "a private man who never spoke about his motivations or wore his heart on his sleeve.''

Mr Kerr was a highly objective realist who wanted to make a difference.

"He was both driven and demanding - but he demanded more of himself that anyone else,'' Mr Wilkinson said.

Roger Kerr strove for excellence and was held in enormous esteem both nationally and internationally.

But he took on his biggest battle with the melanoma which took his life "and was never a coward in the fight.''

Brother Alan Kerr told of how Roger was born in Nelson 13 years after his sister Barbara and 10 years after Alan. A "surprise'' to their parents, the lusty 10lb baby grew into a wildly energetic toddler, had a go at everything as he grew up on the family farm and became an exceptional student.

Sadly, growing up in Nelson, "the melanoma capital of New Zealand,'' finally took its toll.

"Roger failed to slay his dragon. His time was cut short,'' said Alan Kerr.

His brother had told TV3`s The Nation programme some months after he was diagnosed last October that he wanted to live but had had a great life. "I guess I've slain a few dragons in my time, and I'm gonna give this one a good fight.'.

Said long time friend Dr David Leonard, who first met Roger Kerr on the rugby field - when he was "a rather angular lanky lock'' who played like a terrier - "His warmth and enthusiasm for life were infectious.''

Paying tribute to his father, Nicholas Kerr said one of his Dad's greatest traits was eternal optimism.

He wasn't into self promotion; he was in the market for ideas.

"He promoted many ideas throughout his life. If they were no accepted immediately he knew their time would come.''

Although their father's great brain power had always impressed his sons, Roger Kerr, they revealed, was "remarkably inept'' when it came to technology.

It was second wife Catherine Isaac (the couple married 21 months ago) who had some success upskilling him in texting and emailing.

As well as great intellect, Roger Kerr also had a sensitive side, said another son, Richard. But he had "questionable taste'' in music.

Tom Judd, on behalf of his mother Catherine, spoke of her "shattering loss.''

The world was a poorer place with the loss of Roger Kerr "but for Catherine he was the world.''