Remembering Trevor Roberts

Community leader and owner of Conserv Security, Trevor Roberts passed away on June 19 after he contracted Covid-19.

His wife Meryl said he instantly fell in love with the Cradle of Humankind when he moved here years ago, and he made it his life’s mission to conserve it.

Trevor was born in Port Elizabeth on July 14, 1961 and later married his school sweetheart. They were married for 40 years and have four beautiful daughters.

They moved to Kromdraai in 1987, and Meryl said he was at home instantly. In 1988 after being actively involved in the community and its conservation, he started Conserve Security.

“It was only a natural progression for Trevor to do more for a place and a community he loved so much. Helping others and creating safe environments were Trevor’s passions, and ‘To Save A Life’ was his motto,” Meryl explained.

She said the family will always remember Trevor as a wonderful father and husband, a charismatic leader, a fantastic public speaker and storyteller. He was high-spirited, jovial and loyal, and dedicated to his cause.
“Trevor was a people’s person; he loved to be surrounded by people and more than that he was at his happiest when he could do something to help someone else.”

Meryl said Trevor’s greatest achievement was that he truly lived out his life’s mission by saving lives. She added that he created safe environments, preserved the natural world, and made his mark by touching so many lives and so many hearts.

“We have so many fond memories of Trevor that it is nearly insurmountable to sum up the massive spirit and personality he embodied. We will always love and remember him as a family man, a community man and one who walks with the Creator.”

Trevor was heavily involved in conservation efforts as well as the Wonder Cave at the Cradle of Humankind. Trevor has been described as someone who cared about his community.

Chairperson of FPA, Johan Schwartz said he got to know Trevor when he started work on the Wonder Cave in the Cradle. “I have known him for a long time. We started with different projects such as civil protection and disaster protection. He was involved with lion and rhino reserves in the community, and has done a lot for this community. He was a nice guy; most people will describe him as pleasant, but he did not beat around the bush. If something was wrong, he would tell you.”

Deputy chairperson for Muldersdrift CPF, Paul Catlett said Trevor was a dedicated father, husband, grandfather and community leader. “He fought a good fight right to the very end – not only against the virus, but for the community at large. Trevor Roberts was a man of dignity and high integrity in our area, and a pillar of strength for so many people to go to when they needed advice and comfort. He gave so selflessly of himself. As the CPF we salute this man as he goes to his resting place. His family and those who worked with him and to Conserve; our thoughts and prayers are with you at a time when we are grieving not only a man who stood for so much more than just being a family man, but a man who really stood for the community.”

“No one can fill his boots,” John McLaren said of Trevor, whom he frequently worked and interacted with. “It’s hard to find the words to describe him. He made friends and enemies, but even his enemies came to respect him. He was very principled and was huge in the tourism and conservation sector. He was a fantastic person, his passing is very sad. He will be sorely missed.”

Conservation, community and family are three things Trevor clearly loved fiercely.