Vale Doug Fry

Spirit Super, its trustees, staff, and nominating organisations are deeply saddened at the passing on Good Friday of one of its founding directors, and longest-serving chair, Doug Fry.

Naomi Edwards, chair of the $26 billion industry fund, said Fry's legacy was significant.

"Hundreds of thousands of Tasmanians have directly benefited from the fund Doug helped establish," she said.

"His energy and commitment to Tasmanian workers has built a perpetual legacy, strong today thanks to his foresight, dedication, and hard work.

"Tasmanians right across the State have had, and can look forward to a better and more dignified retirement thanks to the superannuation fund Doug helped to establish and grow."

Fry was a key player in the establishment of Tasplan. He was a founding director and served as chair of Tasplan for 11 years.

During his tenure, the fund grew to more than $1.5 billion from $1.1 million and its membership to 104,000 from 12,000.

Fry's experience in the Clerks Union motivated him to create a fund that delivered dignity and comfort in retirement and that existed solely to deliver value to members.

He was jointly awarded Trustee of the Year by the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees in 2009 in recognition of the significant contribution he made to the governance of superannuation.

Doug is remembered as an excellent chair who worked together with other directors to achieve consensus, Edwards went on to say.

"He was a hard worker, fastidious, and a straight shooter who worked productively with employers without ever forgetting the importance of superannuation to working people.

"Tasplan also began direct investments under Doug's leadership, investing in agricultural and tourism businesses, a tradition of investing in regional markets that continues today to benefit the next generation of retirees,"

The Spirit Super chair said Fry also ensured Tasplan looked beyond Tasmania and actively engaged in merger discussions and opportunities with like-minded organisations.

"Spirit Super, with its strong base in Tasmania and a national footprint, is a fitting legacy to the work that Doug undertook during his time leading the fund."

Spirit Super extends its sympathy to Fry's family.