Richard Ulrich

Richard Allen Ulrich, 81, of Independence, MO passed away Thursday, April 16, 2009 subsequent to a stroke. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2009 at the Independence 3rd Ward Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5609 Norfleet, Kansas City, MO 64133. Visitation will be 6-8:00 p.m. Sunday, April 19, 2009 at Speaks Suburban Chapel. Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, April 25, 2009 at Salt Lake City Cemetery, Salt Lake City, UT. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hope House, Lunch Partners or extend service and kindness to a stranger, as Richard would have done. Richard was born October 9, 1927 in Sitka, AK to Franklin Peter and Lois Bertha (Senn) Ulrich, the youngest of seven children. He honorably served in the U.S. Navy during WWII in the Pacific Theatre. After graduating from Utah State University he was united in marriage to Karin Olson from Lovell, WY. He then worked as a forester for the Bureau of Land Management. Richard was the first director of the Job Corps Center in South Weber, UT, and was then transferred to the regional office in Kansas City, MO. He held other positions in the Department of Labor in the Kansas City area. Since his retirement he has been a devoted, selfless volunteer, receiving numerous awards. Among other volunteer services, for 25 years he spent several hours every day collecting food from local grocery stores and distributing it to community services agencies, shelters, and kitchens. Richard helped everyone, from picking up stranded strangers to writing thousands of personal letters to friends and family. Mr. Ulrich was a committed member of the church where he faithfully served youth, fellow members and missionaries in many capacities, including bishop, scout leader, and teacher. Richard is survived by his wife of 59 years, Karin Ulrich; children Belinda Woodson; David Ulrich and wife Wendy; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.