Central Coast Mourning the loss of Philanthropist Greg Hind

Posted: Nov 1, 2012 7:32 PM by Jeanette Trompeter
Updated: Nov 1, 2012 11:22 PM

Philanthropist and businessman Greg Hind dead at 66

San Luis Obispo businessman, philanthropist and lover of the outdoors Greg Hind died yesterday at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center at the age of 66 after a short illness.

He was the founder of Hind Sports and later GH Sports, a company that makes sports apparel and accessories for running, cycling, swimming and water polo. Greg was a star water-polo player at San Jose State Universtiy and a gold medalist in the 1967 Pan American games in Winnipeg.

He also was a huge supporter of the arts in San Luis Obispo County and helped make the Performing Arts Center at Cal Poly a reality. He was also a supporter of young entrepreneurs in the community. Aaron Steed, owner of Meathead Movers in San Luis Obispo says Hind will be missed by so many whom he came in contact with. "It deeply saddens me to learn of the passing of my business mentor, my friend and my old landlord. Greg was a very special and unique person with many gifts and a lot of love. Greg and Jane are quietly some of the most generous philanthropists in our community, yet, he personally would fit you for pair of running shoes with the smartest shoe buying process I've ever seen."

In 2010 Hind was named the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce's Citizen of the Year. And he was on numerous boards reflecting his love of the outdoors. Kara Blakeslee worked with Hind on efforts to preserve the Wild Cherry Canyon south of San Luis Obispo. She says his support was crucial in moving the project forward, donating $150,000 in seed money to get things going. And she says he later added another $180,000 as a matching grant to cover state-mandated infrastructure costs on the property. She would like to see the park named after him should it become a reality. It will be annexed to Montaña de Oro State Park if further fund-raising efforts are successful. "I suggest it be named after Greg. There is none more deserving." she says.

Services are pending.