Julie Brotzen

1959 - 2025

Julie Brotzen
12/06/1959 - 06/22/2025
Julie Ridgway Brotzen died at her home in Nacogdoches, Texas, on June 22, 2025. Born in Esslingen am Neckar in West Germany on December 6, 1959, Julie was adopted by her loving parents Franz Richard and Frances Ridgway Brotzen in 1961. Later that year, she moved to the U.S. with her new family, which included her older brother, Franz Ridgway Brotzen, and became a U.S. citizen in 1964.

Julie spent three unforgettable summers of her childhood at Camp Fern in Marshall, Texas – a place where lifelong friendships were born. There, she was affectionately known as Brotzen, a name that became synonymous with her steady presence and sharp wit. With a personality that could shift from snarky to sweet in a heartbeat, Julie's unique sense of humor and fool child spirit left a lasting imprint on her "forever" Camp Fern friends. For this close-knit group that still meets up every year, Brotzen wasn't just a nickname – it embodied a legacy of love, laughter and enduring friendship.

Julie grew up in Houston, but spent two profoundly meaningful high-school years at the Ecole d'Humanite in Goldern, Switzerland. She graduated from Lamar High School in Houston in 1978, and obtained a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Houston in 1985. In 1995, she earned her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Stephen F. Austin University (SFA).


In addition to working as a private practice psychologist in Nacogdoches for many years, Julie taught at SFA for almost 30 years as a licensed psychological associate, where her primary teaching interests were in abnormal psychology and human sexuality. Students sought out Julie as an instructor as she brought a very personal touch to her courses. She was able to bring alive a lecture given her robust professional experiences. She was the epitome of a scholar/practioner, something she modeled for her students. Her value as an instructor was evident, given that at the time of her death she was the second-longest serving faculty member in the Psychology Department.


Julie traveled widely with her globetrotting parents but also on her own as an adult, from Africa to Asia and Latin America, with a special interest in Europe. During college, she studied for a year at the University of Siegen in West Germany.

Julie was passionate about politics, and the rights of the downtrodden. Many of her friends recall intense discussions with her about current events at home and abroad. She was also an ardent advocate for abandoned and mistreated animals, especially her beloved rescue dogs whom she loved unconditionally.

Julie is survived by her brother Franz (Alexandra Smith), her nephew Franz Brotzen-Smith, her niece Clara Brotzen-Smith, her cousin Judy Laurens, Judy's daughter Karen Laurens (Lincoln Materna) and Karen's children Lauren Chamberlain (Bradley Mills) and Michael Chamberlain, and her cousin Lynn Grant Adams. She is also survived by many close friends in Texas, the U.S. and around the world.

Julie's life will be celebrated on the afternoon of Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Caddo Lake, a place that brought her much happiness over the years as she fished, boated, waterskied and shared good times just sitting on the porch with dear friends there. The service will be held at Johnson's Ranch Marina - Caddo Lake, 5131 Cypress Drive E, Karnack, Texas, at 3pm.


If you'd like to honor Julie's life, please consider sending a donation in her name to the Nacogdoches Animal Shelter.