Prominent SA businessman Kelvin Trimper dies suddenly at his Greenwith home

The architect of some of Adelaide’s best-known masterplanned communities, including Golden Grove, has died suddenly.

Kelvin Trimper AM has died suddenly at his Greenwith home. Picture: Roy Van Der Vegt.

Prominent businessman and urban development manager Kelvin Trimper has died suddenly at his Greenwith home.

An internationally respected rose expert, Mr Trimper passed away aged 69 surrounded by the thousands of roses he grew with wife Melanie in their one-acre garden on Sunday January 7.

In a tribute to The Advertiser Mr Trimper was described as “a truly unforgettable man who will live on in our hearts and minds”.

“A truly unforgettable man who will live on in our hearts and minds,” a tribute said. Photo: Melanie Trimper

“He will be sadly missed and remembered by the many people whose lives he touched,” it said.

He died of heart failure.

Having worked in education, development, business and horticulture, Mr Trimper began a consulting company in 2012 aptly titled Kelvin Trimper Consulting.

He provided advice to state and local government, not-for-profits and businesses in delivering large scale master planned developments.

His expertise in this area saw him present as keynote and guest speaker at OECD Education conferences in Finland, France, Spain, Singapore and New Zealand.

Kelvin Trimper was one the first Delfin employees behind the design of Golden Grove.

Kelvin Trimper's one-acre 2000 rose garden. Picture: Melanie Trimper

Having grown up in Renmark in the midst of his family’s rose garden and the nearby garden of world-famous rosarian and family friend, late David Ruston OAM, roses in particular became a passion for Mr Trimper at an early age.

Mr Trimper became a state, national and international judge, consultant and rose garden adviser and was widely recognised for his work.

Gavin Woods, president of the Rose Society of South Australia and vice president of the World Federation of Rose Societies called Mr Trimper a “giant among rosarians”.

“No single individual can possibly fill Kelvin’s shoes,” he said.

“He has possibly contributed more to the rose growing world than any other individual now or in the past.”

Kelvin Trimper with his son Adam.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison paid tribute to the businessman acknowledging his impact to South Australia particularly as a leader in the rose industry.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Kelvin over more than a decade and his passion has always shone through,” she said.

“People may well know him from his time at Lend Lease … to lose him in such a sudden way has been traumatic to his friends and his family … may he rest in peace.”

Kelvin Trimper AM with former Governor Hieu Van Le in 2018. Picture: Supplied

Mr Trimper was the recipient of the Member of the Order of Australia award (AM), the Gold Medal of the World Federation of Rose Societies, the Australian Rose Award (ARA) and the T.A. Stewart Memorial Award (SMA) and was a Fellow of the Urban Development Institute of Australia SA Division and of the University of South Australia.

He was born on October 16, 1954 and died on January 7, 2024.

He is survived by his wife Melanie, daughter Kirsty, son Adam and daughter-in-law Ruby.