Memorial services were pending today for Murray Galinson, a longtime San Diego banker, philanthropist and political kingmaker.
Galinson, president and CEO of San Diego National Bank for 25 years, died Thursday at age 75 from complications of surgery to remove a tumor between his brain and spinal cord, according to the California Western School of Law, where he taught for 13 years.
He served on the board of area foundations that support inner-city development and youth, and his family foundation backs area Jewish causes, the Monarch School for homeless children and museums in Balboa Park.
Galinson became involved in politics in his native Minnesota and was deputy director of former Vice President Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential campaign.
He decried the lack of civility in politics in a newspaper interview that ran in October.
"There is no compromise, no willingness to listen,'' Galinson said.
"Today the candidates have to appeal to the extremists in their parties. It's happening with both Democrats and Republicans.''
While a supporter of Democratic candidates, Galinson crossed party lines to back GOP San Diego mayors Pete Wilson and Jerry Sanders.
"Murray Galinson was a wonderful human being who made a tremendous impact on our city,'' City Council President Todd Gloria wrote his Twitter page. "His leadership will be missed.''
Galinson taught at Cal Western before running Mondale's campaign. He later contributed financially to the school and served two terms as its chairman in the late 1990s, President and Dean Niels B. Schaumann said.
"His philanthropy and service to our board of trustees helped strengthen the foundation of our academic and community outreach programs, and helped position us as innovators in legal education,'' Schaumann said. "His leadership, vision and genuine kindness will be missed by his many friends and colleagues here.''
Galinson's survivors include his wife, Elaine, three children and eight grandchildren.