Richard Harlan Ulander, Jr.

Richard “Dick” Harlan Ulander Jr, age 77 of Miles, Iowa, escaped this mortal realm peacefully, with his daughter by his side, on Saturday October 25th, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born in Lexington, Kentucky and a graduate of Zionsville Highschool in Zionsville, IN where only 2 of his teachers considered early retirement during his time as a student. He was the incredibly talented drummer for his high school band “The Bounders” which was famous with not only the local ladies but also the battle of the band judges, easily winning every contest they entered. Zionsville police most likely still recount stories of him “driving like Lightening McQueen” while growing up. Local police were not wise to this fact, as Dad stated he “just got faster” with age.

Immediately following Highschool he proudly and honorably served as a Special Forces Green Beret in the US Army, surviving 3 tours in Vietnam before returning home with a whole slew of well-earned medals and two bum knees. He received his Associates of Arts degree from Vincennes University in Vincennes, Indiana. He was a lifelong mechanic by trade but really could do and fix just about anything (besides cooking) and make it look easy. He has a tool for just about any job or project you can imagine. Richard enjoyed a life-long love affair with Mt Dew, books, bacon, fresh tomatoes, Hawaiian print shirts, and sarcasm. He never met a gun or model car he didn’t like and possibly collect.

Sharing in the grief of their immense loss are his 3 proud daughters Asheley, Jessica, and Stefani along with his son-in-law Steven. His loss is also mourned by his brother Jim and sister Bev, his beautiful granddaughters Kalei, Jenna, Avery, Adeline, and Athena and his new great grandson Waylon Richard. His absence is also felt by his beloved fur babies, currently two stubborn cats and one sweet but clumsy dog that he snuck people food to as often as he could (yes, we know Dad)

He also leaves behind 15 jars of Miracle Whip, 12 boxes of Kleenex, 7 bottles of Milk-of Magnesia, nearly every piece of mail he possibly ever received, and multitudes of other random items that would prove helpful in a Zombie apocalypse but in the meantime his daughters have no idea what to do with.

He was preceded in death by his parents Sylvia and Richard Sr, his brother Mike, numerous animals, a Dodge Magnum, a cervical vertebra, and a thumb joint (he is still mad about that one) .

He was adamant about his cremation wishes and very specific instructions on not having any formal services as he “didn’t want you all standing around crying for him, that just makes it weird and sad” so information on a casual Celebration of Life will be forthcoming. A tremendous and heartfelt thank you goes out to all of his medical care teams during his cancer battle and journey, but especially his incredible team with Hospice of Jackson County. His final days were filled with so much love and compassion because of all of you, especially his friend Robert.

Family and friends are invited to share memories and express condolences on his memory page at mvcremation.com.