Wayne Patterson, the former CEO of National Transport Insurance (NTI), died last Tuesday after a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). He was 62.

His funeral service is tomorrow at 2pm at Southport Church of Christ Auditorium in Southport, Queensland. A request for donations to the MND and Me Foundation in lieu of flowers has been made.

Mr Patterson was diagnosed with the incurable illness in 2015 and given 2-5 years to live.

He started his insurance career in 1995, joining AAMI as state manager for Queensland, and left in 2000 to become CEO of NTI. Mr Patterson built a career-defining legacy, turning around the ailing specialist truck insurer, which was losing money and suffering a leadership crisis.

“[He] had tremendous people skills and no one could better communicate a vision,” Tony Clark, who succeeded Mr Patterson as CEO, said.

“With the support of the board… he brought together the NTI team and, over seven years, firmly positioned the company as Australia’s No.1 truck insurer, which set the foundation for what NTI is today.

“Just some of [his] lasting achievements include the establishment of NTI Accident Assist and the NTI Premium Repairer network, the introduction of company values and the establishment of a customer charter.”

In his final years Mr Patterson also made a mark as an author, creating the Fat Rabbit children’s book series for his children and grandchildren.

Proceeds from book sales are donated to MND research projects, and NTI has promised to keep raising funds for the cause. “Our people have a genuine connection to the cause. We will continue to honour Wayne through that commitment.”

Mr Clark has just finished an Everest Base Camp trekking expedition in support of MND research, with supporters giving more than $14,000 to the cause.

Mr Patterson is survived by his wife Lisa, children James, Alexandra and Sarah, and two grandchildren.