Louis Prosterman
Louis Prosterman, 74, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2016 surrounded by his devoted family.
Born at Erlanger Hospital on November 30, 1941, Louis attended Sunnyside Elementary School and The McCallie School. During his early years, Louis was a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church. He attended the Health Sciences school in Memphis and graduated from the University of Chattanooga, where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Louis also received a Master's degree from the University of Cincinnati.
For more than 40 years, Louis worked as a Development Supervisor for Hamilton County, collaborating to improve the practice of local government with a team of dedicated public servants that has included Judge Chester Frost, Judge Don Moore, former County Executive Dalton Roberts, former County Mayor Claude Ramsey, and County Mayor Jim Coppinger. His fundraising efforts touched nearly every aspect of life in Chattanooga, including law enforcement, criminal justice, health, social services, victims of domestic violence, childhood services, childhood lead poisoning prevention, community health clinics, and industrial development. Louis was deeply committed to the people of Chattanooga and made special efforts to improve the quality of their lives in this great city. He was responsible for services for the elderly and handicapped, bulletproof vests for the Sheriff's Office, DUI and gun violence prosecution, the drug task force, prevention of violence against women, a shelter for runaway youths, job training initiatives, housing for the poor, and emergency management services.
Louis loved his work and the variety of challenges it brought. Along the way, he worked on a number of efforts that created jobs and gave people a second chance. His writing abilities contributed to many county departments in written reports and presentations. Louis helped acquire land for Enterprise South Nature Park and Centre South Riverport Industrial Park. Perhaps his proudest work involved the creation and refurbishment of neighborhood parks, Chester Frost Park and Campgrounds, and the Aquarium Plaza. Louis was active in securing funds for the completion of Finley Stadium and the preservation of the First Tennessee Pavilion. Louis's efforts brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for the betterment of a community he loved very much.
Louis's life's work in county government culminated in the creation of the Tennessee Riverpark and the revitalization of the riverfront area, especially the Downtown Riverwalk, Battery Place Riverpark, and Coolidge Park. His latest project, scheduled for completion this spring, is the new Downtown Riverwalk expansion that stretches from Ross's Landing to the base of Lookout Mountain.
In addition to his distinguished career, Louis served on the boards of the Chattanooga Human Services and the Metropolitan Council for Community Services. He was also a member of the National Environmental Health Association. Louis was an avid naturalist who enjoyed the beauty nature brings to our lives. A former president of the Tennessee Valley Daylily Society, Louis was passionate about growing and creating new varieties of his favorite flower.
For the past 22 years, Louis was a dedicated participant at the Erlanger Lifestyle Center, whose staff and support were vital to his well-being. Nurses Dee Clark, Vicki Steele, and Christy Brewer deserve special recognition for their support and encouragement. The care Louis received at Hospice of Chattanooga during his final days was exceptional, and his family will be forever grateful.
Louis was preceded in death by his beloved sisters, Dorothy Gates and Sarah Brown, as well as his mother and father, Lucille and Dr. Louis Prosterman, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Vickie Hagan; his son, Jeff Prosterman (Karen) and grandson Nicholas; his son, Dr. Daniel Prosterman (Megan Bryant), granddaughter Clara Bryant-Prosterman and grandson Samuel Bryant-Prosterman; his nephew Vic Howard; and his beloved French bulldogs, Lucy and Phoebe.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, February 4, at noon at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, 3224 Navajo Drive. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga.
Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.