Lakeland Mirror

Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News

"Education is much more than information and skill. Education begins when what you have learned becomes part of you. True education has to do with our whole person and our whole character." Reinhard Ulrich, 2001 Baccalaureate Address.

Dr. Reinhard Ulrich, one of Lakeland's longest serving faculty members, passed away on Thursday, Jan.11, at the age of 77 from cancer.

Born in Hessen, Germany, in 1929, Reinhard lived in a minister's family. Despite growing up under dictatorship during World War II he was able to have a normal childhood.

When the war ended, Reinhard became a translator for American forces and delivered packages for the Church World Services. Packages were sent to local towns in Germany for the refugees of the war.

During that time, Reinhard sent out thank you notes all over the world and one note was sent to a church in Colby, Wisconsin. A bond was created between Reinhard and the minister of that church and shortly after, Reinhard had a sponsorship through that church to come to America. He came to study at Mission House College, now known as Lakeland College, in 1949.

Reinhard graduated from Mission House College in 1951, where he studied Theology. He graduated from Mission House Seminary in 1953 and earned his masters and doctoral degrees soon after. He was ordained in 1953 and served as a pastor at Saron UCC in Sheboygan Falls until 1956 and then in Chicago until 1964.

In 1964, Reinhard returned to Lakeland College where he taught Religion and Philosophy. His goal as a professor was to teach his students to learn how to think. "Many students respected his knowledge and the way he challenged them," said Lucretia Crawford, assistant professor of English. "Even outside the classroom, Dr. Ulrich commanded respect and was always a most dignified professor."

When it came to teaching, he would make the point of the lecture in English, but then randomly translate into German or Latin saying that what he said was Chinese and talk with his German-English accent. "He had a wonderful sense of humor and whimsical wit and was fun to be around," said Dr. Stephen Gould. "He never talked down to anyone."

Other than teaching, Reinhard was an editor for the first volume of The Living Theological Heritage that was put together by the United Church of Christ. He also wrote many articles of Theology. "He was always known for his sound thinking and careful scholarship," said Dr. Richard Christensen, associated professor or religion and director for the Mission House.

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