Lutheran Care chief executive Rohan Feegrade remembered after cancer death, aged 47

His death has stunned the state’s charity community, which has remembered the Lutheran Care chief executive as a powerful and compassionate social justice advocate.

Lutheran Care chief executive Rohan Feegrade has passed away aged 47. Picture: Supplied

South Australia’s charity community is mourning the loss of Lutheran Care chief executive Rohan Feegrade, who lost his battle with cancer on Sunday, aged 47.

In a statement, Lutheran Care said Mr Feegrade died peacefully surrounded by his family, aftera a courageous battle with cancer, having taken medical leave about a month earlier.

He was diagnosed with sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, in May 2022.

Mr Feegrade’s wife Julia Swift described her late husband as an incredibly kind and thoughtful man, who loved his two girls – Sophie (15) and Maya (3) – “more than anything else”.

She also spoke of the “many fun adventures” they shared as a family, along with his desire to “create a house full of love and laughter”.

Rohan Feegrade with wife Julia Swift and daughters – Sophie (15) and Maya (3). Picture: Supplied

Rohan Feegrade at a fundraising dinner with Nat Cook MP last month. Picture: Supplied

Ms Swift said her husband would be remembered as a person who “absolutely loved life”, living every moment to its fullest.

“He impacted the lives of many not only with the work he did but with his warm, charismatic energy, kindness and cheeky sense of humour,” she said.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook, who shared a photo of herself with Mr Feegrade at a fundraising dinner just a month ago, shared a tribute on an online memorial board set up by Lutheran Care.

“You have been a wonderful advocate for social justice, a leader and friend,” she said.

“Most importantly a much loved husband and dad. With integrity and heart you showed us all how we could be better people.

“Thank you for coming into our lives, you leave a legacy which will continue to inspire all who strive to make our communities fairer and kinder.”

Dozens more people, charity groups and community organisations shared tributes online, saying the news was tragic and calling Mr Feegrade an “inspiring leader”, an “amazing compassionate man” and a “gentle soul”.

In 2018 he was appointed as the chief executive of Lutheran Care, a charity that delivers homelessness, foster care and emergency relief programs across South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Lutheran Care said Mr Feegrade was a bold, charismatic advocate for social justice and child protection reform, who helped create the Toward Home Alliance, a partnership that secured a $15m government tender to reform homelessness services.

Rohan Feegrade with wife Julia Swift. Picture: Supplied

He began his career as a schoolteacher at Immanuel College in 2002 and later worked as an accountant and started his own education consultancy.

Pembroke Old Scholars Soccer Club, where Mr Feegrade previously played, posted a statement to their Facebook saying the club was deeply saddened to hear of his passing.

Community Hubs Australia said in an online post it was “terribly sad” and would miss his “leadership, kindness and his support of our work”.

“Our work with Rohan over the years has always been about how to support communities in the best possible way,” the charity said.

In another online statement, the SA and NT branch of the Lutheran Church of Australia said they extended their “deepest sympathy to Rohan’s family as they walk through the dark valley of grief”.

“We give thanks to God for Rohan’s energy, passion, and drive, and for the way that he used his God-given gifts for the sake of those in greatest need in our community,” the church said.