Henning Kloevekorn Snr, a big name in the business world, has died after battling cancer

Henning Kloevekorn Snr, who was described as “a humble giant of the mining and construction equipment industry”, has passed away.

Managing Director and Chairman of Liebherr-Australia has passed away after a battle with cancer.

Henning Klovekorn Senior, aged 79, died surrounded by his immediate family in Adelaide on October 19 after a three-year battle with mesothelioma, a type of cancer which covers most internal organs.

A tribute published by the Klovekorn family in The Advertiser said that their father managed the sickness with an “unwavering determination,” which embodied his principle to “never give up”.

“Henning’s indomitable spirit shone until the end,” it read.

Henning Kloevekorn Snr has passed away at age 79. Source: LinkedIn.

Mr Klovekorn achieved success in the business corporate world rising to the rank of Chairman and Managing Director of Liebherr-Australia, a company which sells and supports heavy construction machinery.

Mr Klovekorn’s son Henning Klovekorn Junior said his father’s input into the industry cannot be disputed.

“Henning was a humble giant of the mining and construction equipment industry in the southern hemisphere, diligently working to expand Liebherr and the industry symbiotically,” he said on his LinkedIn post on Saturday.

Mr Henning was also Chairman of the Chambers Committee in South Australia and was a Board Member of the German-Australian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

In his free time, for leisure he was a private pilot, a Fellow Rotarian, a member of the Adelaide Club, a photographer and a painter.

His family said Mr Henning’s death has left the “love of his life,” and “devoted wife Irena,” behind.

As well as his “loving sons Patrick and Henning,” and “cherished grandchildren, Misty, Finn, Saffron, and Lya, who affectionately called him Opa.”

In an online tribute, friend Kirk Mason wrote that his “memories of Henning are many, but his kindness and generosity to me as a friend are myriad”.

“I visited him from the Gold Coast many times in the last 30 years and he was always available, an amazing man.

“We were in the same Rotary club from about 1985, Adelaide Parks, and we remained connected even when I joined Surfers Paradise Rotary in 1992.”

Greg Graham said he valued Mr Kovekorn’s “friendship and sage advice” and that he always “provided me with wonderful opportunities and invaluable guidance across my time at Liebherr and continued to do so for many years afterwards”.