TO: UNI Faculty and Staff Members FROM: Jon Hall, Head, Communication Studies DATE: November 19, 1992
In Memoriam: Walter Ulrich
Dr. Walter Ulrich, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, passed away Wednesday, November 18, 1992, following a lengthy bout with cancer. Dr. Ulrich joined the faculty at UNI in August of 1989 and taught coursework in speech communication and served as Debate Coach. Dr. Ulrich was born in 1951 in Anchorage, Alaska. He completed his B. A. and M. A. at the University of Houston, and Ph. D. at the University of Kansas. He taught at West Georgia, Alabama, and Vanderbilt prior to coming to UNI.
Dr. Ulrich was considered to be one of the leading theorists/scholars in the field of argumentation, and one of the more respected debate coaches in the country. He was active in his profession as an author of a number of books and articles, and a participating member in numerous associations including the Speech Communication Association, Central States Communication Association, American Forensics Association, and Cross Examination Debate Association. He was also active in support of the National Debate Tournament, having served in a number of leadership roles. His respect among peers in the forensic community was evidenced by a number of awards of which he was a recipient.
Dr. Ulrich is survived by his wife Kathy, his parents Ted and Betty Ulrich of Houston, Texas, a sister Nancy of Austin, Texas, and brothers Stanley of Germany, George and John, both of Texas. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 21, 1992, at St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Cedar Rapids, 2310 First Avenue NE. Memorials may be made in the name of Walter Ulrich to the UNI Foundation, Development House, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614. The family will determine the way in which the funds will be used. Walter gave a great deal of his life to the academic and forensic communities, and his loss will be felt by those who were his colleagues, students, and friends. His contributions in the field of scholarship will serve as fitting memorial and tribute to future generations.