Long-time resident Henry (Hank) George Ullerich, born January 29, 1931, in Charter Oak Township, Crawford, Iowa, passed away on June 17 in Pacific Palisades.
Born to Ernest and Remda Ullerich, Hank was always grateful for the strong but humble beginnings. He would reminisce fondly of his childhood on the family farm, which his father continued to operate until 1978. The family belonged to St. John’s Lutheran Church.
After graduating from high school, Hank attended the University of Iowa where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree. He enlisted as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, where he would serve three years. He had hoped to become a pilot, but his high blood pressure prevented that career route.
After leaving the Air Force, Hank enrolled in law school at the University of California, Berkeley, and was admitted to the State Bar of California on January 6, 1960.
He did well in his legal endeavors and became a Deputy Attorney General for the State of California. He served in that position for several decades, working his way up to Senior Assistant Attorney General. He traveled to Washington, D.C. in February 1973 to argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Wanting to liven up the social scene in West Los Angeles, Hank organized and started the Westwood Ski Club. It became extremely popular and Westside singles attended regular Friday night parties at the Velvet Turtle. It was considered the major social event of the week.
In 1962, Hank met a beautiful young lady named Mary (Marianne) Martin at one of those parties. They soon started dating and they married at the Westwood Presbyterian Church on July 14, Bastille Day, in 1963. Had Marianne not died on March 23, 2023, they would have been married 60 years last July.
Hank and Marianne moved to Pacific Palisades in 1967, and while continuing to sponsor many of the Westwood Ski Club trips. They hosted parties at their home and at events that featured Marianne’s beautiful piano playing.
In 1982, Hank was recognized with a Palisades Sparkplug award. He was active in the Palisades Lutheran Church (PLC) and the Palisades Optimist Club, serving as its president in 1983.
Hank also led the Palisades Americanism Parade Association as its president in 1990.
He was a member of the Riviera Tennis Club and played tennis there for many years. Also an avid golfer, Hank played weekly with several of his close friends. He served on the PLC Church Council as well as on many committees, and he was always willing to use his talents as an attorney to handle legal problems and documents pro bono for the church.
Hank was lovingly cared for in the last few years by his devoted long-term caregiver, Annie Dewgarde, who had also cared for Marianne. He is survived by his sister Julie Weiss and some nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be greatly missed by all, including his PLC church family and other local friends. His decency, kindness, wit and humor will be remembered forever.
As Hank had planned, he will be interred in his family plot at the St. John’s Lutheran Church cemetery in Charter Oak, Iowa. Arrangements will be handled by the Huebner Funeral Home in Denison, Iowa.
A memorial service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, at the Palisades Lutheran Church. Those wishing to contribute in Hank’s memory could do so to the church’s music ministry, click here. 15905 Sunset Blvd. Pacific Palisades, Ca. 90272 (310) 459-2358.