W. Lewis Ultsch, 82, of Lake Zurich and Wheeling, a pilot and a retired printer, died Monday in Lexington Health Care Center in Lake Zurich.
Born in Chicago, Mr. Ultsch attended Lane Technical High School there, where he learned the skills needed to open his own print shop. He became the owner and operator of Ultsch Printing House when he was 15 years old. His shop specialized in printing fliers for grocery stores. Mr. Ultsch operated the store for more than 60 years out of the basement of his house in Chicago. He retired in 1988.
Mr. Ultsch also was a pilot who owned five planes during his 30 years of flying. About 1960, Mr. Ultsch bought his first single-engine Cessna.
“He loved to fly,” recalled his son, Raymond Ultsch, who added that his father flew all over the United States. “That was his passion.”
Mr. Ultsch was a member in the Aircraft Owners Pilots Association and he flew at least once a week.
He is also survived by his companion, Lillian Moynihan; a daughter, Sharon Martin; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will begin at 11 a.m. Thursday in Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral Home, 201 N. Northwest Highway, Palatine.
