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Thomas Joseph Ulrich

Thomas Joseph Ulrich, 68, of West Glacier passed away at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 10, 2017, at Siteman Cancer Center in Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, 39 days after being diagnosed with T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), an extremely aggressive and rare form of leukemia. A self-taught, freelance photographer since 1975, Tom was highly acclaimed around the world for his nature photography skills, well known in the bird photography field, and published in National Wildlife, Audubon, Outdoor Oklahoma, Sierra, American Hunter, Ranger Rick, Alaska, National Geographic, Montana Outdoors, Life and many others. Tom also published seven nature books. For many years Tom led tours to remote parts of the world, such as Patagonia, Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica, East Africa, and the Pantanal in Brazil. Additionally, Tom conducted photography seminars and workshops around the country and lectured at numerous institutions. Tom was the recipient of many prestigious awards including the 1987 International Wildlife Photographer of the Year in the Mammal Behaviour category, which propelled him onto the international scene.

He was a charter member and Fellow of North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA), an active member and past board member of Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA), an active member and leader of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Writers and Photographers (RMOWP), and a life member of the SIU Alumni Association.

Tom grew up on the South Side of Chicago. He was recruited to Mount Carmel High School in Chicago on a swimming scholarship, and his freshman-sophomore records for the 40-yard backstroke, 80-yard individual medley, and 160-yard freestyle still remain unbroken after more than 53 years. He later attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) on a swimming scholarship. He graduated from SIUC in 1971, taught biological sciences at Fairfield Community High School from 1971-1975, and was a part-time instructor at Frontier Community College before moving to Montana to fulfill his dream to become a wildlife photographer.

He lived life to its fullest and touched the lives of friends nationwide. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Dorothy Ulrich, as well as his “illegitimate son,” a golden retriever named Bud. Tom leaves life partner Linda S. Martin, two brothers, one sister, and seven nieces and nephews: Michael and Insuk Ulrich, Cerritos, California; Michelle Ulrich, Cerritos; Marie Ulrich Anderson and husband Ben, great-niece Ari Anderson, Ladera Ranch, California; Jim Ulrich, Clearwater, Florida; Matthew and Michael Ulrich, Clearwater, Florida; Sharon Ulrich Mikolitis and husband Peter, Gurnee Illinois; Abby, Hailey, and Peter Mikolitis, all of Gurnee, Illinois. Tom’s passing is also mourned by many cousins, and a world of friends.

Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 11 at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel parish in Darien, Illinois; and are Sunday, April 2, 2 p.m. at Fairfield Christian Church in Fairfield, Illinois; and a service will be planned for this summer in the Glacier National Park area of Montana.