Dr. George R. Prigan

Dr. George Richard Prigan, age 96, of Lebanon, Ohio, passed away at Otterbein SeniorLife Lebanon.

He was preceded in death by his wife, June E. (Groth) Prigan; his son, Richard Scott Prigan; and his parents, George F. Prigan and Clara V. (Fox) Prigan.

He leaves behind his daughters, Sara E. Prigan and Susan A. Prigan; his granddaughter, Rosa C. Prigan; and his sister, Bernardine (Prigan) Jerina.

George was born on February 10, 1930, in a farmhouse in the Town of Aurora, Waushara County, Wisconsin. He graduated from Boys' Technical High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Lynde & Harry Bradley Technology and Trade School), where he was one of the school’s top swimmers. He then graduated from the Milwaukee State Teachers College (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) and worked as an elementary school teacher. He subsequently served 4 years in the Army Reserve in Wisconsin, followed by 5 years of active duty as a U.S. Naval Reserve officer out of Long Beach, California. He served aboard the destroyer USS McKean (radar picket ship, DDR-784). After his military service, he graduated from Northwestern University Dental School and practiced dentistry in Cincinnati, Ohio, for many years.

He was a Past Master of the Harry S. Johnson Lodge No. 763 F. & A.M. of Ohio (consolidated into the College Hill-Harry S. Johnson Lodge No. 641 F. & A.M. of Ohio).

He was also a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

A throughline in his life was swimming, which he did for decades until his health prevented it at around age 94. He swam competitively in high school, college, and the YMCA Masters. As a young man, he worked as a lifeguard in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Other activities he enjoyed were fishing; especially in Wisconsin; vacationing, especially in Longboat Key, Florida; and watching sports. He loved his dogs.

He was interred at Dayton National Cemetery, in Dayton, Ohio.