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William Duane Ullrich
William Duane Ullrich passed away on August 13, 2021, the same date as his late father's 113th birthday. Duane's life was one of a talented artist. His gift began early in life, starting with his entertaining friends and teachers at Highland High School drawing their caricatures, and climaxing with his work at Paramount on animated films with legends like Richard Williams.
Duane loved the desert, and fantastical books about the Old West passed down to him by his father. Duane became a father himself with the two loves of his life, wives Kris Baca and Millie Leahy, both of whom remained dear friends and selfless supporters throughout his life. Duane was blessed to father both a daughter, Nica Marez-León, and a son, William Destry Ullrich. Nica gave him three wonderful grandchildren, whom he adored as well.
Duane will be remembered for his humor and charm, his artistic talent and his love for family. But most of all, he will be remembered for his kindness. Duane never missed an opportunity to bring a smile to his family.
William Duane Ullrich was preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Treva Ullrich. He is survived by his sister, Debbie Johnson; his daughter, Nica Marez-León, son-in-law, Alberto León; his son, William Destry Ullrich; and his three grandchildren: Evan Marez, Alana Friedman, and Kiera Friedman.
Duane as ZZ Top and Jack D'Ambosio at 50th Reunion
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Jim Wyly
OMG! Lost another good one! Duane had such an Amazing Artistic Talent. He and his close friend Don McMichael were two of the first people I met when first moving to Albuquerque. I will never forget being so Jazzed about the Very Cool sweatshirt art that Duane was doing for his Classmates at Jeff. He was such a gifted cartoonist. I had never seen anything like it before. Wow! Cost me Five Bucks! As many will remember he was the Political Cartoonist for our HHS Hornet newspaper. So sorry that I had lost track of him after HHS! I
last talked to him at our HHS 20th reunion in 85'. I believe he was still working for Disney Dreamworks in LA at that time. A really great loss! God Bless you my Friend! RIP! JW
Larry Wyatt
Duane Ullrich
415 Wellesley Pl NE 256-9648
The Junior Class member of our folk group The Hangmen and the PTA.
A good friend. Funny. Talented artist.
So Long.
Here’s a group photo of the PTA with Duane wearing one of his signature airbrush-painted sweatshirts…we all had at least one.
Mine had the likeness of a Mad Magazine character made famous by Don Martin.
David Roberts
Always sad when another classmate passes, but this one is particularly hard for me. I didn’t know Duane until Highland because he went to Jefferson and I went to Wilson, but that didn’t keep us from becoming best friends all through high school and much of UNM. Duane was such a talented artistic person who was always happy, friendly, fun to be around and a willing accomplice for the next adventure. Some of my fondest memories are the crazy things we did that always involved Duane.
Like our Senior year when a bunch of us were drinking beer atop the surveying tower where they were constructing the Big-I and somehow we started one of the big dozers and proceeded to run over Jenks Norwalk’s leg….Duane was there.
Like the time we thought we all needed fake ID’s. Using sheets of press on Letra-set letters, Duane made fake ID’s for everyone. The problem was, he spelled “license” with two c’s…..Duane was not the best speller.
Like the time upon graduating from Highland that Duane and I went off to spend the summer living in Reno, Nevada. The best employment I could find was that of a janitor at the phone company, while Duane found work in a fancy downtown cocktail lounge because of his fake ID and artistic ability. He drew caricatures of customers for tips….that was Duane.
Like the first time in college that we tried LSD at a UNM party, left the party and somehow ended up hanging onto the back of a fire truck heading into the Bosque to fight a fire at the river….yup, Duane was there.
Like the time we all rented tuxedos for a photo shoot to stand amid cases of empty green Mickey’s Malt Liquor bottles which we had previously consumed, with the hopes that sending the photos to the marketing department might score us some free Mickey’s. We never heard from them….it was Duane’s idea.
Like the time I stood up for Duane at his wedding to Chris Baca, where it was customary for the groom to tip the groomsmen. We took the tip money and bought a truckload of old Journal newspapers, wadded all of the paper up into balls and filled their new apartment with the wadded newsprint…..yes, that was Duane struggling to get the door open to carry his new bride across the threshold.
There are a few of us who shared those adventures and I hope these recollections will stir a memory of the good times. Yes, Duane, old friend, you will be missed, but so many great memories have lived with me all these years and I thank you for them.
Pamela Orth (Nelson)
Duane was a very talented artist and a good friend. We reconnected after high school and shared NYC experiences, and he introduced me to some art fairs in ABQ. In the late 80's I came home from Boston for some surgery and a couple weeks recovery at my Mom's place - just down the street from Duane's parents. Duane came over to cheer me up with a caricature I still treasure, and we enjoyed some time together. I always looked forward to catching up with Duane at our reunions. We will miss you, Duane. Rest in peace.
Don McMichael
Duane… my friend. When I heard, yesterday, of your passing, I was shocked into silence and then denial. Oh, no, I thought, that can’t be…
Living only 3 houses away from one another we became friends very early on, and stayed friends as children, as teenagers and as adults, attending Monte Vista, Jefferson and Highland schools. We played cowboys and Indians, dug forts in the dirt together, at our houses, rode our bikes through the neighborhoods, went to movies together, developed plans for our futures, together and were inseparable for so many years as we faced all of the trials and tribulations that young boys/men face growing up, together. As we grew and started to become more mature, we acquired wheels which allowed us to venture farther from home and to spend a lot of time sitting in auto stalls at Franks, Vips and Macs and cruising a circuit that many of our friends enjoyed throughout their teenage years. We got into trouble too. I guess that is all a part of it, part of growing up, becoming responsible, becoming adults.
In the late 60’s early 70’s our paths diverged and we each grew apart from one another as our lives took different paths. I know that we never really lost touch at any time and always brought each other back up to speed in our respective lives when we were together as the years passed. I’m thankful for that, you were always a good friend and we always seemed to pick up where we left off during those sporadic meetings. You with your art and me with a more engineering lifestyle, I always envied your ability to draw things as you saw them. Your caricatures were always spot on.
As I write this, memories of you abound, although not always in chronological order, now, as my memory of many things are fading in that regard. I will always remember you, as Duane the clean-cut young man and as ZZ Top with your long flowing White beard.
Be free, now, my friend… fly far.
Jim Alden
Such sad news. Duane was one of the nicest, friendliest, and talented people I've ever known. I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace. Goodbye, old friend.David Gorgone (M. )
I’ve been thinking back about Duane, and the thoughts from everyone particularly David Roberts brought back some great time spent with Duane.
Bill Brandow
Sorry to hear this. Duane was so good at what he did. Lots of good times. Woodsies at Doc Longs, the rock house, his bachelor party, lunch at Lionels. Rest in peace buddy. We will keep the fond memories.
Bill
Lee Hayes (E. )
Sorry to hear of Duane's passing.I met him in my 7th grade at Jefferson JH....
Even then he was a fantastic artist....
especially cartoons .....very creative.
Re
st in peace.....and blessings to his family!
Lee Hayes
Charlie Lujan
Duane,so sorry about your passing.Thanks for being my friend for so many years.We lost another good one.Say HI to our class mates up their.Your friend Charlie Lujan.