Harris L. "Shrub" Kempner, Jr.

Harris L. “Shrub” Kempner, Jr. was born February 8, 1940, in Galveston, Texas and passed away August 9, 2025, at his home on the Island. He left his mark on the world through his family, civic, business, philanthropic, and political activities and positively impacted Galveston Island through his untiring devotion to the community’s wellbeing.

He is predeceased by his parents, Harris L. Kempner and Ruth Levy Kempner, as well as his brother, Marion Lee “Sandy” Kempner. 

After attending elementary school and Lovenberg Junior High (where he was famously a cheerleader) in Galveston, Kempner graduated from high school at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. He went on to Harvard College, graduating cum laude in 1961 with a degree in History and Literature. He received his Master’s in Business Administration from Stanford University in 1963. 

In April 1966, he married Hetta “Peaches” Towler, uniting two long-time Galveston families. Shrub and Peaches made an extraordinary pair – as life partners and civic leaders. In addition to his wife, Shrub is survived by children, Harris L. “Branch” Kempner, III and wife Kim, and Randall T. Kempner and wife Shannon, as well as grandchildren, Harris “Reed” Kempner IV, Kolston R. Kempner, and Eluney B. Kempner. He took particular joy in sharing time and wisdom with his grandchildren. 

Mr. Kempner was an astute investor and financial advisor, spending most of his career as president of his investment advisory firm, Kempner Capital Management, Inc. Prior to establishing his own firm, he was president of U.S. National Bancshares and chief investment officer for Frost Bank of Galveston (formerly United States National Bank) from 1969 to 1982. Thereafter, he was a director of Cullen-Frost Bankers, Inc. San Antonio from 1983 to 1994 and continued as director emeritus until his death. Starting in his twenties, Kempner served in leadership positions for a variety of Kempner family business entities and embraced a key role in maintaining ties across the many branches of a family that has roots in Texas back to the 1850s. 

Following in his grandfather’s footsteps, Mr. Kempner gave much time and attention to the American Jewish Committee in New York, serving on the Board of Governors and many sub-committees throughout his sixty years of membership. His most recent AJC passion was the fight against antisemitism in the world. 

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston was particularly close to his heart, and he worked tirelessly on the UTMB’s behalf in various ways. He frequently reminded colleagues about the importance of “The University” in driving Galveston’s economic prosperity in addition to its role in healthcare. He and Peaches established a Professorship in Health Disparities at UTMB. 

Mr. Kempner was a lifelong member of Congregation B’nai Israel, and, for many years, taught classes on Jewish values to young people. He loved “his pupes” as he called them, and delighted in pushing them to develop and (respectfully) debate their own perspectives on key global issues. 

In addition, he championed the tall-ship Elissa’s presence in Galveston, and his favorite photos of himself typically were taken on board. In 1987, the Galveston Historical Foundation gave him its “Shirt Off Your Back Award” for his work in supporting the Elissa. The award, which is a framed oxford shirt slyly borrowed from his closet by his wife, was proudly on display in his office for all to see. 

Kempner was passionate about protecting his hometown from perceived threats. He organized grassroots efforts to keep casino gambling away from Galveston Island, successfully leading the opposition to three different gambling referenda over the years. More recently, he was actively engaged in the effort to design and deploy a coastal barrier to protect Galveston from future hurricanes. 

Mr. Kempner contributed his time and talent to many other organizations across the state. He was an executive board member of the Galveston Economic Development Partnership, the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center Advisory Council at The University of Texas at Austin, The Center for Houston’s Future, and a member of the development board of Texas A&M University at Galveston. Mr. Kempner was also a very proud member, treasurer, and past president of The Philosophical Society of Texas. 

His was a life well lived. Shrub was easy to meet, fun to be with, and a remarkably adept conversationalist. A genuine “Renaissance Man” in an era that has forgotten the value of such individuals, he was a world-traveler and knowledgeable of many cultures. He genuinely cared about others and gave much to many over the years. His many friends and acquaintances will truly miss his wit, wisdom, and warmth. 

The memorial service is scheduled for Sunday August 17th at 1:30 PM at Temple B’nai Israel in Galveston. It will also be livestreamed at:  https://streamyard.com/watch/4Dpbw59ZWmG9 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the Peaches and Shrub Kempner Professorship in Health Disparities at the University of Texas Medical Branch, the Galveston Historical Foundation, Temple B’nai Israel of Galveston or to the charity of your choice. 

Peaches and Shrub Professorship in Health Disparities

UTMB

301 University

Galveston, Texas 77555-0148

www.utmb.edu/giving 

Galveston Historical Foundation

P.O. BOX 149

Galveston, Texas 77553

https://www.galvestonhistory.org/ 

Congregation B'nai Israel

P.O. BOX 8060

Galveston, Texas 77553

https://www.cbigalveston.org/contribute

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