John E. Horstmann

1935 - 2021

John E. Horstmann
July 4, 2021
Fresno, California - Early on the morning of July 4, 2021, John E. Horstmann passed peacefully in his sleep, leaving his loving family behind, to begin the celebration of his life in heaven. He knew he would be in the presence of God and greeted by his beautiful wife, Lollie, who he had missed so much.
John was born in Fresno in 1935 and was proud to be a life-long Fresnan. He was a loving son to his parents, Vaughn and Lona Horstmann, and brother, Tom Horstmann.
John was a proud member of the 1941 Heaton Elementary "Afternoon Kindergarten." A gathering of future Fresno leaders whose impact is still felt today. Those friends, who called him "Jack", as well as those from his days at Fresno High and Fresno State (BS Business – Marketing), enriched and defined much of the rest of his life.
In 1957, he married Clarice (Lollie) Zwetzig and he so often said, "Lollie, I do not know a day that I do not love you". Jack and Lollie were a team in life and in business and were always at each other's side. They were profoundly devoted to each other and able to celebrate life's successes and weather the hardships side-by-side. No hardship was greater than Lollie's decade-long struggle with Alzheimer's disease from which she succumbed in March 2020.
He lived his life for God, family, community, and career. In 1958, he signed his contract with the New York Life Insurance Company. John laughingly would recall that Lollie's father believed he would have to support the newlyweds, but that was never the case.
John was a lifetime member of New York Life's highest honors and a founding member of The Nautilus Group; New York Life's premier business and estate resource center. He achieved Lifetime member of The Million Dollar Round Table and was a platform speaker at their convention in 1985. In 1976, John and Lollie formed Horstmann Financial and Insurance Services, a employee benefits insurance brokerage operated by his daughter, Kathy, and son, John. He was past-president of many financial, insurance, and professional organizations and was named "Man of the Year" in 1990 by the Fresno Life Underwriters. Whatever accomplishments John had in business he would attribute to the amazing teams he assembled. The company would not be where it is today without the tireless efforts of Kathy Sunday, Lillian Sandoval, Araceli Gonzales, Meagan Fernandez and associates Yuliana Franco and Eric Kalkowski.
John's ability to give of himself to the Fresno Community was renown. When asked why he felt so passionate about volunteering, his answer was, "It's easy… Fresno has been good to the John Horstmann Family". He believed in giving back all he could.
He served on the California State University, Fresno, Board of Governors until his death. At Fresno State, he was fondly known as the "Dog Father" for his gift to purchase their current bulldog mascot, Victor E. Bulldog. He loved dogs, so it was no surprise that he adored Victor E., but it was his current Havanese, Shelby, who captured his heart.
John served as President of the Foundation of St. Agnes Medical Center for 10 years and was instrumental in the fundraising to build their North Cardiac Wing in 2007. He was also devoted to Valley Children's Hospital, as he and Lollie knew first-hand the life changing impact of their mission.
John's dedication to the Fresno community did not go unnoticed, as he was the 2013 recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award. In 2001, he was named to the Central California Excellence in Business Hall of Fame. He was a 56 year member of Fresno Rotary and was a Paul Harris Fellow.
In 2007, he was honored with the "Top Dog Award" by the California State University, Fresno's School of Business. And in 2019, then Fresno State president Joe Castro awarded John with the President's Medal of Distinction, the highest non-degree award presented by Fresno State. Current president Saul Jimenez-Sandoval said it best: "How fortunate we all were to have known a man of such integrity".
Regardless of all his other accolades, his greatest success and greatest joy was his family. His love and devotion to Lollie had no limits. Being able to work alongside his children, Kathy and John, and watch them succeed brought him great joy. He took continuous delight in being "Grampy" to his grandchildren, Sam, Jack and Kristen. He was genuinely interested and curious in all their achievements and always wanted to know, "Is there anything I can do to help?" While honored by all the accolades of others, his family was how he measured his successes.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Clarice "Lollie" Horstmann; his parents, Lona and Vaughn Horstmann; and his brother, Thomas Horstmann. He is survived by his son, John H. Horstmann; daughter, Kathy Horstmann Huebert and her husband, Robert Huebert; grandchildren, Jack and Kristen Horstmann and their mother, Diane Foster; grandson, Samuel Huebert and his wife, Amanda Wright Huebert, along with the Judy Wright family; and sister-in-law, Sue Horstmann. John's family is forever grateful for the loving care provided to him by Rosie Sanchez, Mary Gonzales, Rose Martinez and, in his last days, the Nazareth House.
Because of past COVID restrictions, a Celebration of Life for both John and Lollie will be held at a date in August which will be announced separately.
Remembrances may be made to: Fresno State Alumni Association – Victor E. Bulldog Fund, 2625 E. Matoian Way SH124, Fresno, CA, 93740-0800; or your favorite Hospital Foundation – Valley Children's Health Care, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Community Medical Center or Kaweah Health.
"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name." Psalm 100:4