Gerald KEMBER Obituary

So sorry to hear that Gerard has passed away. I use to be his secretary at Bell Gully in the early 1980s and he was a lovely man with a kind heart. My condolenses to his family.
Cheryl Maguire

Gerald´s Kelburn Normal School classmates have already said it all in earlier messages, so as another who was a classmate right through primary school I will simply endorse their appreciation of Gerald´s wide ranging excellence in class work and sport alike. He combined his talents with modesty and was a good friend to us all.
In sending my sympathy to the family I should mention that I have all our class photos and also some taken at reunions. If there are any that the family would be interested in you will have my email address but in addition I will be able to be found c/- Village at the Park in Berampore Wellington where I will have moved to and unpacked by mid 2025.

Margaret Gordon

I was saddened to hear a few weeks ago that Gerald was unwell, then to read of his death this month. I played rugby with Gerald for NZU over several years, including on two tours of Japan in 1967 and 1970. Like Gary, I thought Gerald had outstanding qualities as a person and a player and felt privileged to spend that tour time with him, as well as playing together on several occasions in NZ. Other team members have espoused the same opinions of Gerald, including Howard Joseph who told me of them yesterday (and played with Gerald and me for NZU against the 1971 Lions: Gerald´s last first class game, I believe).
I trust Gerald has now moved on to even better things and that time will diminish the sorrow the family and other friends will be feeling.
Kindest wishes
Maurice Collins

I played rugby with Gerald at Victoria University in Wellington in the early 1960s and also for Wellington and NZ Universities. Whilst he was clearly a rugby man in terms of his involvement and abilities, he was also a person with wider interests and considerations. It was almost as if rugby was just a small piece of who he was. He was interesting to engage with and to talk with about a wide range of topics. It was no surprise to me that later in life he was involved as a counsellor. I lost track of him over time, but he always remained with me as someone quite special and with depth. I am sorry that I did not have a connection with him over time and now that opportunity has gone. Condolences to the family - he will be greatly missed. Gary Hermansson

Members of Music Therapy New Zealand were very sorry to learn of the passing of Gerald Kember, on 2nd October 2024. Our history records that he was introduced to the New Zealand Society for Music Therapy by his colleague Dick Simpson at the law firm Bell Gully & Co, Wellington, when the Society was being set up in 1974. Gerald became the first Chairperson of the Society´s National Executive, a position he held for four years (1975-1978). He was highly valued not only for the crucial legal advice he was able to provide as the Society drew up its first rules, but also for his negotiating skills, and his concern and empathy for people in need. After relinquishing the Chairperson´s role, Gerald remained on the National Executive of the Society until 1982. We are most grateful for his generosity and seven years of service to support the establishment of music therapy in this country.

So saddened by this news, but also grateful for the connections I had with this v. fine person after our first meeting in late ´69 (w/ Thorney). Again, when he an Auck. lawyer in the early 70´s; and much later when he radically committed to counselling in the 2000´s. I remember Gerald from this latter time, as a devoted & loving, family man; a compassionate carer for a special friend in need, and with (in his words) "an undiminished interest in the spiritual",
which we so shared.

I know he´ll be sorely missed by his family ´n close friends. My sincerest condolences to you all.
Safe passage Gerald. I trust you are at peace now on your new, lighter pathway. Go well.

RIP Gerald. We shared Nelson College days in the first XV. Hogg and Kember were boarders at Barnicoat and a formidable 9 and 10 team link. He was a school prefect and a damn good cricketer also. We shared a few good laughs over a cuppa in the 90's in Auckland. Take it easy Gerald. Very sincere condolences to your family. Cheers mate!

Fond memories of kicking the rugby ball with Gerald pre All Black days - very sad to hear of his passing.
Condolences to the Kember Family from June and Hugh Richardson, Vancouver, Canada

We go back a long way Gerald The NZU cricket tour of 1966 and then suddenly we were on a tour of Euripecand North America playing rugby. Then sharing a room in South Africa when you drew a line on the floor and said that´s your side this is mine His side was tidy mine was not! I still can´t believe you´ve gone
Thorney