Donald J. Prodzinski – Oct. 15, 2021

Donald J. Prodzinski, who was also known to many in Salem, Oregon, as “Don the Barber” passed away peacefully on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021, due to complications from advanced Parkinson’s. He was 91 years old.

Don was born on the family farm located near Buchanan, ND, in Dec. 1929, to Edward Prodzinski and Louis (Degen) Prodzinski. He attended rural schools in the surrounding area with his two older sisters, Phyllis and Lorraine, followed by his three younger brothers, Melvin, Richard, and Harold.

His father, Edward moved the family and his farming operations around a bit back during the 1930’s – 1940’s so Donald and his siblings also spent some of their growing up years near the communities of Fried and Kensal as well. Don not only worked on the family’s farm but also hired-out, during those lean Depression years, doing farm work for others as well.

The old roller-skating rink at Spiritwood Lake was where Donald first met the young lady who would eventually become his wife – Miss Patsy Keiser. Her parents, Jerry and Geneva Keiser, along with younger sister, Sandy, lived on a farm near Clementsville, ND.

Donald continued doing farm work until about 1949-50, while spending winter months working at the Homestake Gold Mine in Lead, SD (2-winter seasons there) until a nearly disastrous tunnel collapse suddenly convinced him to seek a different line of work.

He then went to work for Mac Exploration Company, as a drill rig operator, working in the states of Utah and Nevada for a couple of years until finally being drafted into the US Army in 1953. And while back home again from Basic Training, he quickly married Miss Patsy.

Upon discharge from the US Army in 1955, Donald and Patsy moved to Utah where he immediately resumed work with Mac Exploration Company, until a bad bout with Tuberculosis sidelined him and nearly took his life in 1956.

In 1957, Donald and Patsy pulled up stakes again, moved to Portland, where Don enrolled in the Moler Barber College. And in 1958 the couple relocated to Salem, OR, where Don eventually opened his own barber shop and barbered there for 40 – very successful years. He claimed that finally working with a roof over his head and being out of the wind and snow was much easier on the body, yet he’d always carry his love for the family farm, during those formative years of growing up in North Dakota, especially close to his heart. It made him who he was!

Don and Patsy raised their 4-children in the process: Karen (Brad) Yates, Debra (Mark) Voorhis, Mark (Meg) Prodzinski and Donna (Bill) Isabell. Don and Patsy also enjoyed the love of their two beautiful granddaughters, Lacie Hart and Taylor Isabell, as well as their two great-granddaughters, Alivia Hart and McKinley Hart.

Don always remained a man true to his word, his handshake was his bond, and he was always willing to help another person in need. He could also be depended upon to finish whatever task he set out to do, regardless of the difficulties. He also possessed a well-honed sense of humor – as judged by anyone who happened to be present in the barbershop whenever Don felt it suddenly necessary to tell a funny story. He was a solid rock to lean upon, not just for his family and friends but for his entire community. He will be greatly missed!

Don was proceeded in death by his parents, Edward and Louise Prodzinski, his sisters Phyllis Leysring (Fargo), and Lorraine Schwartz (Jamestown), and his younger brother, Richard Prodzinski (Salem, OR).

He is survived by his wife, Patsy, and their 4-children, his two 2-granddaughters, and 2-great granddaughters. He is also survived by his two younger brothers, Melvin Prodzinski (Milford, UT) and Harold Prodzinski (Seattle, WA)