In Memory of Rev. Steven Protzman (1958-2024)
We offer our condolences to the family and colleagues of the Rev. Steven Protzman who died on January 29, 2024, at the age of 65.
Steven was born on August 18, 1958, in Portsmouth, VA to Charles and Carol (Andersen) Protzman. He was the first of eight children and grew up in the Roman Catholic tradition attending Catholic schools and serving as an altar boy. Most of his growing-up years were spent in Missouri and Iowa. At the age of 16, he fell in love with the pipe organ and began playing the organ for mass during the week and eventually on Sundays.
After high school, Steven served two years in the Navy, following which he received his Bachelor of Architecture from Iowa State University in 1984. He then moved to Oregon and became a pipe organ designer. He lived there for thirteen years. He studied organ performance and became a Music Director/Organist as well. Throughout these years, Steven was in search of a religion whose values matched his own. In 1996, he discovered the UU faith and started regularly attending a Unitarian congregation in Ashland, OR. Meanwhile, he worked to reconstruct his essential self and what the role of a minister could be. In 2001, he attended a Unitarian service in Burlington, IA which crystallized his desire to enter the ministry. Steven believed that ministry would be the best place for him to bring about change in the world, nurture others, and encourage growth, healing, wholeness, and the creation of community in the greater world.
Steven served as a worship associate for the First Universalist Church in Minneapolis assisting with Sunday worship and other worship endeavors (2002-2008). He also served as co-chair of the nominating committee from 2003 to 2006 and as an active participant in religious education planning adult programs and teaching five-year-olds and third graders. He was co-chair of the membership team and on-call pastoral care support. In 2009, he graduated with his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN.
Rev. Protzman was ordained by the First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis, MN on September 26, 2010. In 2011, he accepted a call from the UU Society of Iowa City, Coralville, IA where he would serve until 2018. At the Iowa congregation, he encouraged rewriting the bylaws and played a leadership role in drafting the new vision and mission statements. He worked with church leadership to ensure that new groups and activities were integrated into the church system by developing leaders, promoting communication, and providing resources. He openly welcomed inclusion in the broad spectrum of age-based groups such as Children and Youth Committee (CYC) events, and teen gatherings. He operated as co-chair of the Pastoral Care Committee, meeting monthly with the team and usually offering a small bit of pastoral care training at the end of the meeting. From 2018, he served the UU Church of Kent, OH until he died in 2024.
Pastoral care was one of Rev. Protzman’s areas of great strength. He was very kind, supportive, available, responsive, and helpful. He was noted for his warmth and empathy, his skill in handling a “sad time,” and his ongoing concern and follow-up with people during and following a crisis. He could get to know new people quickly and make them feel welcome in the congregation. He brought love, passion, and generosity to his ministry.
Steven was active in the community, serving as a co-founder of the Cookboys, a potluck social group for gay men (2001), and as a volunteer for Second Chance Animal Rescue (2002-2005).
Outside his career as a pipe organ designer and a minister, Steven enjoyed quite a variety of hobbies and interests in life. He enjoyed ice skating, casual walking, dining out, socializing with friends, music, and dance concerts. He also loved the fun and adventure of travel. For leisure reading, the Harry Potter books were his favorite. Steven was beloved by his family, friends, and congregants for his compassion, empathy, and sense of humor.
Steven is survived by his mother, Carol Protzman; and seven siblings: Charles, Chris, Dawn Werling, Kevin, Brendan, Eric, and Marcia Grimes; as well as dozens of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Plans for a memorial service will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of one’s own choosing.
Notes of condolences can be written here.