Fred Protsman Obituary
June 29, 1938 – May 10, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of George Frederick Protsman, who died peacefully of natural causes on May, 10, 2025 at the age of 86 at his home in Nipomo, CA surrounded by family.
George was born on June 29, 1938 in Plymouth Indiana to George Alfred Protsman and Elizabeth Bull Protsman. George was beloved, by his wife of 63 years Madeleine Lupus Protsman, his son and daughter George T.J. Protsman, and Suzanne Protsman Bradley, their spouses Lisa Carlisle Protsman and Michael Bradley as well as his 5 grandkids, Jennifer, Jacqueline, Sarah, Sean and David.
George had a zest for life and had an amazing ability to connect with people from all walks of life. He grew up in Plymouth Indiana and Holland Michigan but came out West with his mother to San Diego in 1955, where he attended Brown Military Academy and then San Diego State College where he Joined Sigma Chi Fraternity of which his father was also a member. There he met Madeleine in 1959 and they were married in 1961, where they lived mostly in Corralitos, CA and Lake Almanor, CA. Although extremely humble throughout his life, he became a successful self-made businessman starting with the Longs Drug Store chain and ending his career owning several successful businesses in Office Products and Natural Foods. He was able to retire early at age 49 to focus on his true-life passions: including fly-fishing, world travel, baseball, tinkering in the stock market, painting, world history, community engagement, spending time with his grandkids at Lake Almanor, and helping those less fortunate.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 2nd, 2025 at George and Madeleine's home in Nipomo, CA. More details to follow.
"Let your whole life be such that when you go down to the dark river of death and its chill water dampens your feet, you may be able to say, looking back over your past life: "I have fought the good fight; I have finished my work; The White Cross of Sigma Chi has gained new luster by my life."
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555 Fair Oaks Ave, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
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