Melvin Lloyd Etter

Melvin Lloyd Etter, icon of the San Diego banking industry, passed away on May 13, 2014 at age 89. While not the author of the San Diego Trust & Savings Bank motto, “Where Money Matters, but People Count”, Mel was the embodiment of that sentiment, both professionally and personally. Throughout his long and successful career, he nurtured his relationships with both colleagues and customers of the bank, turning many into lifelong friends. Although he would have been more than justified in being proud of his professional accomplishments, Mel was first and foremost grateful for the people and experiences they brought into his life, from the introduction of his future wife, to his directorship of, and opportunity to throw out the first pitch for, the Padres.

Mel was born on October 12, 1924 in St. Louis, Missouri, the fourth of five children, to Henry and Ollie Etter. A self-professed “baseball nut”, growing up in a town with two major league teams (the Browns and the Cardinals), Mel attended his first world series game in 1934 and later played for the “Old Gashouse Gang”, a semi-professional baseball team.

Following his service with the United States Army, and having an itch for travel, Mel moved to San Diego. In 1947, he responded to a classified ad, “Young man wanted”, which led to his position as a bookkeeper/trainee at San Diego Trust & Savings Bank, where he remained until his retirement as Executive Vice President and Chief Credit Officer in 1989. During his tenure at San Diego Trust, Mel advanced through various positions in nearly every department of the bank, while pursuing bank management training at places such as Stanford, Washington University, Indiana University and Ohio State University.

In 1961, Mel married Mildred Estes, of Fowler, Indiana. They were married for 42 years, until Millie’s death in 2003, and had two children, Pamela and Gregory. With Millie by his side, Mel realized his dream of traveling, visiting Japan, China, South America, Africa, Russia and numerous other countries throughout Europe. Upon first coming to California in the 1940’s, Mel developed a love for fishing in the Sierra Nevada, which he shared with his children and grandchildren and continued to enjoy until the last few years of his life.

Mel also developed a passion for the game of golf as a young man, and became an accomplished player in his own right. His participation in numerous tournaments over the sixty or so years he played led to opportunities to golf with the likes of Ben Crenshaw, Arnold Palmer, and Andy Williams. He was able to share his knowledge of golf with his son, Greg, and treasured time spent with him, and other dear friends, on the course.

An extraordinarily active member of his community over the years, Mel enjoyed ongoing involvement with the San Diego Junior Chamber of Commerce, San Diego Chamber of Commerce, Grossmont/Mount Helix Improvement Assn. (Past Director), San Diego/Imperial County Muscular Dystrophy Assn. (Past President), Rest and Aspiration Club, Ruben H. Fleet Space and Science Center (Trustee and Life Member), 1967 Grand Jury, Executives Assn. of San Diego (Past President), San Diego Downtown Optimists (Director), San Diego Zoological Society, Robert Morris Assn. (Life Member), San Diego Merchants Credit Assn. (Past President), San Diego Wholesale Credit Assn. (Past President), American Institute of Banking, San Diego Chapter (Past President), San Diego Padres (Director), and Singing Hills Golf Club. Mel was also instrumental in bringing the Holiday Bowl to San Diego.

Mel was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Millie. He is survived by his brother, Lynn Etter, of Webster Groves, MO, daughter Pamela Rand, son Gregory (Sheri) Etter, grandchildren Michael, Lauren, Logan and Emma, a legion of nieces and nephews, and many remarkable friends.

Through his tireless commitment to excellence, sense of loyalty, and unfailing dedication to his family and friends, Mel was an inspiration to all who knew him. He will be deeply missed.

Services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2014 at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Boulevard, La Mesa, CA, 91941 with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.