Charles K. Ulanowski, 53, a Chicago Public Schools administrator and former teacher, died Monday of brain cancer at his Park Forest home. A Chicago native, Mr. Ulanowski was the first person in his family to attend and graduate from college. He began his 30-year career with the Chicago schools teaching children with behavior disorders after he graduated from the University of Illinois. He received his master’s degree in urban education and his administrative education certificate from Governors State University. Most recently, Mr. Ulanowski was a coordinator for funded programs for 93 schools in south Chicago. His wife, Donna, described him as “a born teacher,” whose teaching went beyond the traditional classroom. He began studying tai chi in 1985 and taught the oriental art at the Personal Growth Center in Olympia Fields and the Unitarian Universalist Community Church in Park Forest, where he served as a member of the board of trustees. In addition to his wife, Mr. Ulanowski is survived by two sons, Carlin and Nicholas; a daughter, Lara; three brothers, Thomas, Dennis and Jerome; three sisters, Arlene Swiderski, Jacqueline Slawkowski and Judith Ratcliff; and a grandson. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Lain-Sullivan Funeral Home, 50 Westwood Drive, Park Forest. Services will take place at 2 p.m. Friday in Faith United Protestant Church, 10 Hemlock St. A memorial service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Aug. 29 in Faith United Protestant Church.
