Ultra Fastener Co. co-founder Richard Proteau 86, died July 1, 2024.

He started his fastener career at 16 with cold threaded parts manufacturer Fastron, where his mother Pauline worked as a secretary to the company president. By 18, he was promoted to outside sales to supply houses in Midwest farming communities.

In 1967, he relocated to Southern California to become Fastron’s West Coast distributor, focusing on locknuts for aerospace, trucking and manufacturing, supplying for a range of products from garbage disposals to wheelchairs and skateboards.

Proteau was the 1970-71 and 1982-83 president of the Los Angeles Fastener Association. He was instrumental in introducing the Fastener Basics classes and creating the Basic Fastener Handbook. He also led the inaugural LAFA trade show at the Queen Mary in 1986, “demonstrating his forward-thinking approach to the industry's development,” the Pacific-West Fastener Association stated.

In 1989, he and his wife Joyce co-founded Ultra Fastener Co., Inc., where they continued to work together until his death.

“Throughout his career, Richard was known for his excellent health, friendly demeanor, and his ability to connect with everyone he met, leaving a lasting impact on the fastener community,” Pac-West noted.

Messages to the family may be sent c/o Ultra Fastener, P.O. Box 2367, Orange, CA 92859-0367. Email: rp@UltraFastener.com