Remembering Paul Ulrich Sr. (updated)

Paul Ulrich Sr., a long-time Gaubeisitzer, passed away June 12, 2014.  Paul was elected as a Director, or Gaubeisitzer, at the Delegates Meeting held in Milwaukee in 1972, served in that capacity until his death, and had become the face of the Beisitzer, and the Gauverband, at nearly every meeting since.  Paul, with his quick-witted style, took roll call, ran the Administrative Sessions, led numerous Schafkopf Workshops, and then gave entertaining reports of all of the above.  More recently, during a lull in our elections, he entertained many of us with a humor-laden dissertation about the traditions and customs of the noble Weißwurst.  Paul will also be remembered as a brilliant parliamentarian who would help keep the meeting moving, orderly, and would return the discussion back to the matter at hand.  At many an Executive Board Meeting, he would introduce a different point of view of a topic to make sure it was properly discussed before being put to vote.

Paul had the good fortune to be able to travel to our beloved Bavaria numerous times for work-related meetings.  He always made time to add a side trip to pick up Fahnenbänder for presentation at our Gaufeste, or a new or restored Fahne or accessories for one of our member Vereine.  Paul was also always ready to help with the purchase and delivery of Tracht or Trachten-related articles.

Paul taught me to keep the good of the Gauverband Nordamerika in my heart and at the forefont of all that I do as an officer, to play a reasonable hand or two of Schafkopf, and to enjoy some of life’s little pleasures, like a Weißwurst (but before noon!) mit a Brezn und Weißbier, or a fine highlands, single-malt Scotch after five.  He will be deeply missed by me, and by our entire organization.

Ruhe in Frieden.

Added 6/15:  ARRANGEMENTS:  Funeral Mass was Tuesday, June 17.

At the request of the family -- in Lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Paul Ulrich’s name to Gauverband Nordamerika, a 501(c)3 organization, to create a scholarship fund:

GAUVERBAND OF NORDAMERIKA INC., C/O JOHN BLANK, 590 CENTERVILLE RD  # 332, LANCASTER, PA  17601