Ulrich passed away peacefully in his sleep in the morning of August 29, 2025, with family by his side, three weeks short of his 91st birthday.
Ulrich was born on September 20, 1934, in Gertlaucken, Germany, to Johanna (nee Amling) and Friedrich Wachowski. His family relocated to West Germany after WWII, where Ulrich completed high school and a cabinet-making apprenticeship. After a short stint as a police officer in Bonn, Ulrich immigrated to Canada in 1957.
Ulrich spent time working on the construction of the Bridge River Dam near Lillooet before attending the University of British Columbia to obtain his teaching degree. He met his wife Maria (who was in the nursing program at Vancouver General Hospital) playing tennis in Stanley Park and they were married on December 28, 1963, at a small Catholic church in the West End of Vancouver.
Ulrich and Maria moved to Sicamous for a stint before settling in Golden, where they remained for almost 60 years. During that time, Ulrich worked as an elementary school teacher for a decade before returning to carpentry, first with Parks Canada and then for many years with Evans Products in Donald.
Ulrich loved living in Golden. He loved it even more when, in 1982, the family moved out of town to a house they had built on 70 acres of land on Almberg Road. Here, Ulrich could enjoy time in his woodworking shop, take in the view of the Columbia valley and stockpile firewood for the cold winters.
Ulrich was an avid hunter, and the beginning of hunting season was his favourite time of year. He was also a hiker and general outdoor enthusiast, being a long-time member of the Rod and Gun Club. He also took up flying gliders. Rarely stationary, Ulrich liked to keep busy and was particularly fond of building things, including constructing a solar-heated shower. Ulrich enjoyed spending time with friends and was always happy to host friends and family from Germany.
After a tragic fire at a neighbour’s home, Ulrich volunteered for the Nicholson fire department, serving for 31 years well into his 80s.
Ulrich is survived by his wife Maria, sons Markus (Dotty) and Thomas (Jana), daughters Sonya (Carla) and Monika, grandchildren Arden and Daniella, and sister Friedel.
A celebration of life will take place sometime in the summer of 2026.
