Darrell Ulch

DARRELL ULCH

Cedar Rapids

Darrell James Ulch, 82, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, April 1, 2015, at his home in Mesa, Ariz. Funeral services: 1 p.m. Friday, April 10, at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories, with the Rev. Michael Metz officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 9, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Kathy Ulch of Cedar Rapids; and

son, David Ulch of Phoenix.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Darrell was born May 31, 1932, the son of Elmer and Alta (Yerkes) Ulch, in Cedar Rapids. On Dec. 17, 1955, he married Joyce Katherine Schrimper. Darrell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa and served as a lieutenant with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from 1956 to 1958. He worked as a mechanical design engineer for many years at Rockwell Collins, where he designed navigation control equipment for Government Avionics and the Space Shuttle program.

Darrell earned the rank of Eagle Scout and later volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America. A past member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, he also belonged to Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity. Darrell was an active member of both the Iowa and Arizona Accordion Clubs and Kenwood Park United Methodist Church, where he occasionally played his accordion at church services.

In retirement, Darrell and Joyce have spent the last 20 winters in Arizona. They have especially enjoyed traveling, camping, hiking and sightseeing with family and friends in Arizona, California, Iowa and Door County, Wis.

Darrell will be remembered for his fascination with science and astronomy, his enjoyment of music, his positive impact on people, and the life he led marked with motivation, determination and optimism!