MUNCIE, Ind. — Jerry Ulman, a longtime member and supporter of the Socialist Workers Party, died here Nov. 22. Ulman was a member of the party branch in Indianapolis from 1978 to 1982. He remained a supporter of the party for almost four decades, while living in Muncie. His wife, Jean, is also a supporter of the SWP.
As a professor of special education at Ball State University here, Ulman developed the Applied Behavior Analysis program used to successfully treat people with autism. He was instrumental in establishing the Hoosier Association of Behavior Analysis.
Jerry was a staunch supporter of Cuba’s socialist revolution and worked tirelessly to help distribute the writings of Fidel Castro, Che Guevara and other Cuban revolutionary leaders. He traveled to Cuba three times and helped students to do so as well, overcoming travel restrictions imposed by Washington as part of its 60-year campaign of attacks on the revolution.
As a member of the American Federation of Teachers, he worked to bring union solidarity to workers fighting to defend their rights and living standards. He had unshakeable confidence in the working class and the capacities of working people to transform themselves and the world in the interests of humanity.
Family, friends, colleagues and comrades hosted a celebration of his life Nov. 27 attended by 40 people in the nearby community of Yorktown, including participants from Chicago, Miami, and Louisville, Kentucky.
Contributions in Ulman’s memory can be sent to the SWP at 306 W. 37th Street, 13th Floor, New York, NY 10018.