Hoover and Retravision veteran.
Geoff Kemp, former Retravision WA chairman, passed away on November 6 after a six month illness. Geoff worked for Hoover in WA, starting in sales 38 years ago. He worked up to the position of state manager before being promoted to Hoover head office in Meadowbank, NSW in a national sales role in 1983.
He returned to WA in 1986 and after considering several opportunities opted to join Retravision WA, opening his first store in Wangara in 1987 and his second store in Osborne Park early in the new decade.
Geoff became a valued contributor joining the state board in 1991 rising to the role of chairman, a position he held from 1997 to 2001. One former member made the following comment after hearing the news of Geoff’s passing: “He always put the group before himself often to the detriment of his own businesses. He was a great advocate for the collective entity as opposed to the individual good”.
Geoff Kemp at the 10 year anniversary of the Wangara store opening
Geoff and his wife Anne decided it was time for a change in 2009 and left the retail industry to travel on 4WD trips to remote and rugged parts of WA. They had partaken in many Variety Club bashes and Geoff had a great knack for getting suppliers to donate to this worthy cause. This led to Geoff eventually working with Variety Club by scouting out the famous Bash trip routes through the remotest parts of Australia and eventually to leading the major fund raising event in the field.
Geoff has been described as a selfless straight shooting honest individual. He was generous with his time, encouragement, a great mentor, loved to laugh, was self-deprecating and lived by the adage of “just do the job well”.
He held a love for St Kilda, red wine and travelling around Australia. He had no greater love than his wife Anne and his family. His children Jeff (dec) Rick and Danielle, their partners and grandchildren will miss him dearly. So will all of those lucky enough to have spent time with him.