Shah-Bahram “George” Espantman, of Belgium, passed away with his loving daughters by his side on Monday, March 23, 2026. He was 98 years old.

George was born on July 26,1927 in Tehran, Iran to the late Kaykhoosrove and Mehr Banu (Zareh) Espantman. In 1946 George immigrated to the United States with his cousin. On June 11,1949 George was united in marriage to the love of his life Kaye Buchanan.

A brilliant entrepreneur, George owned Tele-Tech TV and Appliance with several television and electronics stores located in Milwaukee and Rhinelander. These stores bring family memories of Saturday treats of Spudnut donuts from the bakery next door to yearly trips to Wabeno, Wisconsin.

George, like his father, had a keen eye for real estate and sought out farmland for investment purposes. In his search for an investment, George found what would become his life’s passion and family legacy, an apple orchard in Belgium, Wisconsin, called Appleland. This property connected George to his Iranian roots where his family owned a summer home in the mountains with a small orchard. In 1967, George and his wife, Kaye, moved the family to start their new journey in the apple business. George was a devoted businessman. He continued to operate his television and appliance store in the Milwaukee area until 1995. During this time, George worked in the orchard in the mornings and weekends. George became an ardent orchardist and delighted in grafting trees with new apple varieties. George was always on the lookout for opportunities to expand his beloved orchard. In his later years, George reveled in greeting customers into Appleland’s farm market, often offering apple samples to help customers find their favorite variety.

True to his culture, George welcomed family, friends, and business colleagues into their home where food and tea was always served. Family was especially important to George. His cherished Sunday “tea party,” filled with laughter and warmth, will forever resonate in the hearts of his loved ones. These weekly gatherings were more than just moments of repast; they were celebrations of the bonds that held his family together.

Those left to cherish Georges memory are his beloved wife Kaye, his daughters; Jaleh Espantman, Javey (Russell) Zander, Shari Crass, Manejeh (Edwin) Bares and Parveen (Richard) Hughes, his grandchildren; Matthew (Andrea) Zander, Ryan(Net Onyong ) Zander, Carl (Misty) Crass, Kaye (Brian) Klinger, Clint (Lisa) Crass, Nicholas (Alma) Bares, Michael (Kate) Zander, Jeremy (Sarah) Bares, Jacob (Katie) Bares, Rebekah (Jon) Otte, Chelsea (Joe) Werner, Alexi Hughes, Ian Hughes (girlfriend Emma Debelak) and Colin Hughes, along with twenty-four great grandchildren with one more on the way. He is further survived by sister-in-law Joanne Buchanan and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his brother Goshtasb Espantman, sister-in-law Nakhostin Espantman, brother-in-law Britton Buchanan, mother-in-law Aneti Buchanan and great-grandson Bram Zander.

The family would like to thank the ER and 4th floor staff and doctors at Aurora Medical Center Grafton, for the care and compassion they showed to the family during this time.

A private family service will be held.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you plant a tree in honor of George.