George Anthony Ullrich

George Anthony Ullrich
ROCHESTER, NY -- Mr. Ullrich, age 81, died peacefully on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at St. Ann's Home in Rochester, New York. He was born April 25, 1922 in Utica, New York, the only surviving child of Anton Ullrich and Maria Wiedenmann Ullrich. He attended St. Francis De Sales High School in Utica, followed by a BA degree from St. Michael's College of the University of Toronto, Canada in 1943. After a year of graduate physics work at U of T, he was drafted into the US Army in 1944. He was then sent to Oak Ridge, TN to participate in the Manhattan Project. He and two others supervised the gas diffusion factory which produced enriched uranium later used for atomic bombs. After the War, he enrolled in the University of Rochester for a Masters of Education degree granted in 1947. He was a Science instructor at Brockport State Teachers College from 1947 to 1952. He did additional graduate work at Syracuse University in 1949. From 1952 to 1954, he did doctoral work in education at Ohio State University. Once he decided that high school science teaching was his career, he never actually completed his doctoral dissertation. He taught science at Monroe High School, Rochester, from 1954 to 1965, and was Science Department Head at John Marshall High School, Rochester, from 1965 to 1983. He retired from active teaching in 1983. He thoroughly enjoyed his retirement. For many years, he was a member of the Dryden Theatre Film Society at the George Eastman House. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Church on Humboldt Street for more than 50 years. Due to declining physical health, he resided at St. Ann's Home for the last 1 1/2 years of his life.
He married his college roommate's sister, Marion F. Saeli, on August 7, 1948 at St. John's church. She survives him, as do his children Christopher G. Ullrich, M.D., F.A.C.R. and wife Betsy of Charlotte, NC, Janet Marie Ullrich of Fairport, NY, and Deborah Ann Ullrich and her fiance' Jeffrey Simpson of Acton, MA. His son, Mark Joseph Ullrich, PhD preceded him in death in January 2001; Mark's widow, Linda M. C. Ullrich resides in Rochester.
George was not only a science teacher in his career, but he was also a broadly educated man with an enormous intellectual curiosity. He delighted in his large collection of books covering a diverse array of topics. He was devoted to classical music and assembled a large music library. He loved well-made movies and developed a vast knowledge of classic films made in the United States and Great Britain. He enjoyed English vocabulary and did difficult crossword puzzles with ease. He avidly read newspapers and magazines all his life. He was a diligent collector of cameras and slide rules. His hobbies included science, electronics and audio technology, photography, a fascination with gadgets, finding specialized tools that were perfect for a specific task, and a love of good design. His interests were eclectic. He was never really bored. He was always working on something. To his family and friends, he was a gentle giant, a tender soul, an amazing intellect and a bit of a character. He was beloved by those who knew him and he will be dearly missed.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff of St. Ann's Home for their care of George. We also appreciate Sharon Vincent, CSW for her diligent work on behalf of the family. Family visitation will be held at Crawford Funeral Home, 495 North Winton Road , Rochester, from 7-9 p.m. Sunday, November 16th (585-482-0400). A Memorial Mass will be held at St. John the Evangelist Church, 549 Humboldt Street, at 10:30 a.m. Monday, November 17th. A private interment will occur at a later date.
Memorials can be made to the organization of the donor's choice.