Obit: Kulas, Brian C. (1937 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Blarek, Kercher, Krueger, Kulas, Kundert, Penn

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 1/29/2015

Kulas, Brian C. (8 MAY 1937 - 16 JAN 2015)

Brian C. Kulas, 77, town of Hammel, died on Monday, Jan. 26 at his home, surrounded by his loving family and under the care of Hope Hospice.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Jan. 31 at 1:30 p.m. at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Medford, with Rev. James Krueger officiating, and full military honors performed by Medford Area Military Honors Team. Interment will be at Athens Cemetery in Athens. His grandchildren will serve as pallbearers.

Visitation will be held at the church on Friday, Jan. 30 from 4 to 8 p.m., and on Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Hemer Funeral Homes of Medford and Rib Lake assisted the family with arrangements.

Brian Kulas was born on Sept. 20, 1937 in Wausau to the late Louis and Dorothy (Kercher) Kulas. He was a graduate of Wausau High School, and received a degree in physical education and a graduate degree in education administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a member of the Badgers basketball team from 1955 to 1959. During college he was in ROTC and following graduation fulfilled his military obligation at Fort Benning, Ga. He later served in the National Guard and was stationed at Fort Lewis, Wash. during the Berlin Crisis, and at Fort Knox, Ky.

On June 27, 1959 in Wausau, he married Dona R. Penn, who survives. In 1959, he started teaching at Medford High School where he taught physical education and coached the boys basketball team. He became assistant principal in 1968 and principal in 1971, a position he held until becoming assistant superintendent in 1987. He retired in 1999. During retirement, he served as principal at Medford Elementary School for one year. He was instrumental in the formation of the Medford Education Foundation and Post Prom activities, remaining active in both in his retirement. He continued to work with youth for many years as an instructor for Junior Achievement.

He was a member of Kiwanis, Esadore Area Lake Association, Tee Hi Golf Club, and Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church where he served six years as church council president. He served on the boards of directors of Memorial Hospital, Memorial Health Foundation, Taylor Electric Cooperative, Dairyland Power, AnnMarie Foundation, Medford Education Foundation, Federated Youth Foundation, Medford Public Library and Medford Public Library Foundation. He received national recognition for developing an education program to teach elementary students about cooperatives. He was recognized as the Medford Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year in 1986, and inducted into the Medford High School Athletic Hall of Fame. He was an avid golfer, sports fan and reader.

Brian taught his students that their years in high school were like a trip on a rocket ship. He inspired all who knew him to reach for the stars.

In addition to his wife, survivors include three sons, Kevin (Krista) Kulas of Savage, Minn., Kirby (Julie) Kulas of Appleton and Keith Kulas of Marshfield; an aunt, Lillian Kundert of Evansville, Ind.; sister-in-law, Fay (Donald) Blarek of Wausau; five grandchildren, Kolby, Kassie, Konor, Katherine and Klaire Kulas; nieces and nephews; and other relatives.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to his family to be designated at a later date.

Online condolences may be made at www.hemerfuneralservice.com.