- State: Nebraska
8/30/1931 – 1/27/2022
Richard B. Ulmer Sr.’s earthly life ended January 27, 2022, in Omaha. He was 90.
Richard was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, where he married Marian McClaughry. His first assignment as a Lutheran school teacher was to rural Aliceville, Kansas. It was there that Richard took up gardening, a passion the rest of his life.
Richard and Marian next moved to St. Paul’s Lutheran in Yorktown, Iowa. “Teacher Ulmer” became a beloved figure in the tiny town; he worked summers baling hay, surveying land, and the like. In 1964, the couple’s home in Yorktown was destroyed by a tornado. Their final teaching stop was St. Paul Lutheran in Omaha, where Richard served until retirement in 1993.
Many former students laud him as the best teacher they ever had. He used the Socratic method to challenge students to think for themselves and placed a premium on the written word, requiring a weekly composition about a picture or topic posted on the blackboard.
Richard and Marian were blessed with seven children. The last, Mark, made international news by being born after Richard pulled Marian through a blizzard on a toboggan.
Retirement wasn’t rest for Richard. He and Marian traveled the U.S. with Laborers for Christ, building churches. When not on the road, Richard constantly volunteered, visiting the sick, elderly, and lonely. He joined the Omaha Rose Society and took charge of maintaining the Memorial Park rose garden for many years.
More than anything previously mentioned, his family would like you to know we feel extremely blessed to have had him in our lives. He was a loving, caring person who was cherished by us all and will be deeply missed. He left an amazing Christian legacy for our whole family!
Richard never made the money his intelligence and work ethic could have allowed. But, for him, wealth wasn’t the goal. His life was about serving others – living his Christian faith all the way.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Marian, and son, Mark. He is survived by his children Richard Ulmer Jr., Kathie Matsumura, Kris Hock, Karen Samson, Karol Ulmer, Karla Haggar and their spouses; 12 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and his brother, Robert Ulmer.
Memorials to
Mission Central
40718 Highway E 16, Mapleton, IA 51034
Include the name “Richard Ulmer” in the memo section of your check.
Memorials are designated to missionary Sandra Rhein who is on-site in Taiwan.
