- Date Of Birth: October 30, 1951
- Date Of Death: February 16, 2021
- State: Michigan
Albert Louis Ullrich passed away Tuesday, February 16, 2021, in Kalamazoo. He was born October 30, 1951, in Kalamazoo, MI son of Herbert and Alice (Butler) Ullrich.
As a young man, Al enjoyed Boy Scouts, especially the backpacking trip to Philmont Scout Camp in New Mexico. Al earned his God and Country Award at age 15. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central in 1969 and earned his Associate’s Degree in Electronics Technology from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1975. Al began his technology career in 1978 as a major stockholder and President of Lindauer Business Machines Company. In 1981 he became the service manager for The Copy Center, where in 1987 he proudly received the Technician of the Year award. He then became the co-owner of KL Enterprises, retiring in 2013.
Al met his future wife, Karen Timmerman, at The Carousel Ice Cream Shop, where she worked as a server. He frequented the store regularly for lunch because he worked at Foster’s Standard Oil gas station down the street. Al and Karen were married on August 7, 1971. As a man of strong faith, Al was a member of First Congregational Church and taught Sunday School.
After he and Karen married, he became a member of Twin Lakes Reformed Church and served as a Deacon. Al believed in “Blessed to be a Blessing” and in service to the homeless. Being a participant in The Ten Brave Christians program and the Bethel Bible Series study were very special to him. From 1983 to 1985, Al and Karen were Houseparents at Kalamazoo Youth Ministries Open Door, a homeless shelter for young men aged 18-30. In his free time, Al enjoyed camping, fishing, and boating. He took the family on many memorable trips to Yellowstone, Cancun, and California to attend the Rose Parade. Al and Karen also enjoyed spending summers at their cottage on Pleasant Lake in Delton.
Al was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Keith H. Ullrich. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen; children, Amy (Dwight) Olivier and Lee (Amy Dowd and her daughter, Maia) Ullrich; granddaughter, Simone L. Olivier; grandson, Raymond L. Olivier; sister, Jean (Tom) Glaser; and several nieces and nephews.
