Friedrich (Fritz) Jackson Ulrich

Fritz was born in Portland, Oregon on December 2, 1940 to Fredrick Ulrich and Elaine Darrow Ulrich. He passed peacefully on June 30, 2026 from Alzheimer’s disease at his home in Salem, Oregon with his beloved wife, Dolores by his side.

Fritz graduated from Sonoma State with a BS in Psychology and from Sacramento State, earning a Master’s Degree in Social Work. He met the love of his life, Dolores Mlynarczyk in Redding, CA and Fritz, Dolores, and Fritz’s son, Lee moved together as a family to Keno, Oregon in 1983. Fritz and Dolores were married in Redding 1984. He worked as a Supervisor for Senior Services in Klamath Falls until 1989.

Fritz and Dolores then moved to Salem, OR, in 1989 where he worked as a mental health specialist for Marion County Mental Health, retiring in 1999.

Politics always interested Fritz. He worked tirelessly on the Democratic campaigns for Kerry and Obama, and for many local candidates. He was active with the Polk Co. Democrats and Health Care for All Oregon and registered many voters. He strongly supported equal rights for women and The American Association of University Women.

As an adventurer, poet, bicyclist, backpacker, and hiker, he explored Oregon and northern California and climbed Mt. Shasta, Mt. Lassen, and Mt. St. Helens. He was an avid chess player, was a member of the National Chess Federation, and started a chess club at the West Salem Public Library.

He was a caring, loving father, husband, and friend with a sharp sense of humor. Fritz is survived by his wife, Dolores Mlynarczyk; his sons Lee (Heather) Ulrich, and Johann Ulrich; grandchildren Sierra and Mason Ulrich; sisters Kathrin (James) McKissock, Joanie Asakawa, and Sally Hobson; cousins Laurie (Bob) Lamb and Lee Darrow; Sister-in-law Linda Plessinger; and former wife Janet Chroniak Ulrich.

An informal Celebration of Life gathering will be held at a future date.