Frederick Arnold Ulrich Iii

ROCHESTER, MN: Frederick Arnold Ulrich III, Fritz, 78, passed away peacefully December 16, 2013 at his home. Fred was born September 22, 1935 in Rochester to Arnold and Charlotte (Wynn) Ulrich. He was a 1953 graduate of Rochester High School and a 1957 graduate of Carleton College receiving his BA with a major in Biology and a minor in English. On June 16, 1957, Fred married Janice Bitsy Clark. Throughout Fred's teaching career, he taught secondary science, and math at Harmony Public Schools and biology at Austin Public Schools. While in Harmony, he initiated the wrestling program as the head coach where in 3 short years, his wrestling team won the District 1 Championship. Fred earned his MA from the University of South Dakota with a major in botany and a minor in zoology. He was the owner and grower of Ulrich's Orchard in Rochester and Adams, MN. where he lived and hobby farmed for 27 years. He was a member and on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Apple Growers Association. Fred eventually sold the RochesterOrchard for development, now called Apple Ridge with streets named after Minnesota apples. Fred enjoyed being a science fair judge, was on the taste panel at Hormel Research and Development, was a member of Sigma Xi Scientific Fraternity and was a past chaplain and Treasurer for the Elks Lodge #1091 in Rochester. Fred was also very active in the Masons. As a Master Mason he was Master of Fidelity Lodge #21 in Austin, and a member of Scottish Rite-Valley of Rochester and of Unity Chapter #29 OES in Austin. He enjoyed genealogy, traveling both foreign and domestic, farming, his tractors but above all, Fred loved spending time making memories with his family and friends. Fred continued to substitute teach at Southland and Grand Meadow until his final teaching retirement in 1992...once a teacher, always a teacher.Fred and Jan retired to Rochester in 2001. Fred is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Jan; children, David Ulrich (Phil Hickey) of Orono, ME, Robert (Sarah) Ulrich of Denver, CO., Barbara Ulrich (Michael Pearse) of Rochester, Jon Ulrich (Elizabeth Popp) of Minneapolis; grandchildren, Megan and Tyler McGovern, Collin and Cameron Ulrich; sisters, Jane Smith of Rochester, Judy (Glenn) Wasser of Rochester, and numerous nieces and nephews. Fred was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Michael and brother-in-law, William Smith. The family would like to thank Drs. Tom Jaeger and Craig Daniels and the staff and volunteers of Mayo Hospice for the extraordinary care and compassion they gave to Fred through his long illness. A Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 AM Friday, January 3, 2014 at Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Homes' 5421 Royal Place NW., Rochester, MN. The Reverend Benjamin Scott will be officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Rochester Reading Center, 847 5th St. NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or to Mayo Clinic Pulmonary Research, Department of development, 200 First St. SW., Rochester, MN 55905. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com