Warren D. Kullman (1922-2000)

by Cliff Lamere -- July 31, 2013

Photographs by Norman Shartzer

I met Warren Kullman in September 1968 when I accepted a job teaching ninth grade Earth Science at the Bethlehem Central Junior High School in Delmar, NY. Warren was the Science Supervisor for all grades in the Bethlehem Central School District. I had come to the Town of Bethlehem from Dryden, NY where I had been living with my wife and three daughters while attending Cornell University. I had no place to live yet because I was hired so late, so until I could make arrangements for my family, Warren offered to let me stay in his camper parked in the back yard. I purchased a home nearby and moved into it the following month. I nicer man than Warren, I have never met.

Barbecuing hot dogs at a science department gathering in John Boyd Thacher State Park

Thomas Atkinson, Bethlehem Central Science Supervisor, speaking with Warren Kullman, the retired supervisor, at a science department gathering in John Boyd Thacher State Park. The men knew each other very well. Before becoming science supervisors, both men had taught science two years together at BCHS (1959-1962). Tom Atkinson was the district science supervisor at Bethlehem Central School from 1977 to 1989. This trip to Thacher Park was taken sometime during that period.

Warren and Aleta Kullman at John Boyd Thacher State Park

Aleta Kullman was choir director at the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem, not far from where she lived. I joined the choir because she was the director. Warren and his wife Aleta both died in 2000. 

I wrote the following to Andy Joachim and Norm Shartzer on Nov 6, 2004.

"His Times Union obituary was published 25 Jun 2000. According to Bonnie Kullman, wife of Warren's nephew Gary with whom I spoke today, after his retirement Warren and Aleta made some major trips within the U.S. and Europe. I remember that he used to be a tour car driver during the summers, so he liked to travel.  The last year of his life he got Alzheimer's pretty bad. Aleta was diagnosed with cancer and couldn't take care of him, so he was in a nursing home for a year or less. Following that, he went to live with his son Doug in Ohio. Aleta was supposed to follow shortly, right after finishing chemo treatments for cancer here. Warren died unexpectedly before Aleta got there. She lived less than 3 months after his death, also dying in Ohio. Aleta said that they had lived a wonderful life."

OBITUARIES FOR WARREN AND ALETA KULLMAN

Kullman, Warren D. -- [Published 6/25/2000 in the Times Union, Albany, NY - pg 6, Capital Region section ]

NEWARK, OH -- Warren D. Kullman, age 78, of Selkirk, NY, died June 21, 2000 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center operated by Hospice of Central Ohio in Newark, Ohio.

Mr. Kullman was born in Albany, NY on June 18, 1922. Mr. Kullman was a high school math and science teacher in Ravena Coeymans and Bethlehem Central, retiring from Bethlehem Central Schools in Delmar, NY as science supervisor. Mr. Kullman received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in Education from SUNY at Albany and attended several other post graduate studies. Mr. Kullman was a Naval Aviator in World War II and retired from the Naval Reserves. Mr. Kullman served several terms as elder and deacon of the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem. He was an active mason having served as Master of Russell Lodge No. 850, from which he also received the Dedicated Service Award. He was also a member of the York Rite Bodies. He served as a member of the Town of Bethlehem Planning Board, the Bethlehem Volunteer Ambulance, was treasurer of the Bethlehem Grange, served on the Board of Directors of Selkirk Railroad YMCA and was a drummer in the Fort Crailo Marching Band. He was also active with the Boys Scouts of America, serving as a Scout Leader for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Aleta (Moyer) Kullman; sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Deborah Kullman, Newark, OH and John and Denise Kullman, Plano, TX; granddaughters, Sarah Kullman and Rachael Cox; brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Lucy Kullman; brother-in-law, Robert Mlyer; sister-in-law, Shirley (Kosbob) Kullman; cousin, Donald and Clara Kullman; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nathan E. Kullman, Sr. and Irene (Potter) Kullman; one brother, Nathan E. Kullman, Jr.

A memorial service will be held in Selkirk, NY at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Kullman Kitchen Fund at the Second Presbyterian Church, 42 East Church Street, Newark, OH 43055; Hospice of Central Ohio, 1435-B West Main Street, Newark, OH 43055 or the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem, Selkirk, NY 12158. HENDERSON, VAN ATTA AND JOHNSTON FUNERAL SERVICE 59 North Fifth Street, Newark, OH 43055

Kullman, Aleta M. -- [Published 9/13/2000 in the Times Union, Albany, NY - pg B6, Capital Region section ]

SELKIRK -- Aleta Moyer Kullman, 81, formerly of Selkirk, NY, passed away Sunday, August 20, 2000 at the Newark Healthcare Centre, Newark, OH.

She was born November 10, 1918 in Albany, NY to the late LeRoy D. and Marguerite (Pickard) Moyer. Her late husband of 53 years, Warren D. Kullman was born in Albany, NY on June 18, 1922 and died on June 21, 2000 at the Selma Markowitz Care Center operated by Hospice of Central Ohio in Newark, OH.

They are survived by sons and daughters-in-law, Douglas and Deborah Kullman of Newark, OH and John and Denise Kullman of Plano, TX; two granddaughters, Sarah Kullman and Rachael Cox; brother, Robert Moyer of Albany, NY; brother and sister-in-law, Stanley and Lucy Kullman of McGraw, NY; sister, Shirley (Kosbob) Kullman of Delmar, NY; cousins, Donald and Clara Kullman; many nieces, nephews also survive.

A memorial service for Warren and Aleta Kullman will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 16, 2000 at the 1st Reform Church of Bethlehem, 30 Church Road, Selkirk, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kullman Kitchen Fund at Second Presbyterian Church, 42 E. Church St. or Hospice of Central Ohio, 1435-B W. Main St., both in Newark, OH 43055 or the Music Fund of the First Reformed Church of Bethlehem, 30 Church Road, Selkirk, NY 12158 or the Bethlehem Grange #137, Selkirk, NY 12158. HENDERSON, VAN ATTA & JOHNSTON FUNERAL SERVICE Newark, OH 43055 (740) 345-9864