It is with great sadness we report that Professor Emeritus Richard Ulack passed away on March 22nd, 2011. 

Professor Dick Ulack started teaching at the University of Kentucky in 1974 after earning his PhD at Pennsylvania State University. While he was on the faculty at UK he taught thousands of undergraduate and graduate students in courses such as: Lands and People of the Non Western World; Cities of the World; World Regional Geography; Third World Development; Geography of Southeast Asia; and Tourism Geography. His research strengths were in the broad area of development, with emphasis on tourism development in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific. He won two Fulbright awards: one took him to the Philippines for a year and another took him to Fiji for six months. He was well known in geography for his published research on migration and tourism development, among other themes, and for his books such as "Southeast Asia: Diversity and Development" that he and Tom Leinbach co-edited for Prentice Hall. Dick was also the lead editor of the wonderful "Atlas of Kentucky" - a cooperative project with other geography faculty from the University of Kentucky and from other institutions across the Commonwealth. For eight years Professor Ulack was the Chair of the Department and he had considerable success leading the department as it grew in size and strength. 

Colleagues remember the quality of his scholarship and his unselfish service to geography and to the University of Kentucky. Students remember his great classes as well as his warm and open personality and his interest in student learning.

Dick retired in December 2006, and moved to Florida with his wife Karen. On his retirement Dick and Karen established the Richard Ulack Study Abroad Fund to provide financial awards to UK undergraduate Geography majors wishing to study abroad. To donate, go to the UK Arts and Sciences Donation page, and specify the Richard Ulack Study Abroad Fund in the space provided.

We extend our deep sympathy to Karen, and to their children Jessica and Chris and their families.