Shah-Bahram “George” Espantman

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 doughnuts from the bakery next door to yearly trips to Wabeno, Wis. 

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, Wis., called Appleland. This property connected George to his roots in Iran, 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 at 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 George’s 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 24 great-grandchildren with one more on the way. He is further survived by his sister-in-law Joanne Buchanan and many nieces and nephews.

He was 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 emergency room and fourth-floor staff and doctors at Aurora Medical Center in 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. 

Eernisse Funeral Home of Belgium is honored to serve the Espantman family. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.eernissefuneralhome.com.