Dr. Erick Urbaniak, a German teacher who spent the 2025-26 school year at Anderson High School and Nagel Middle School, died over the weekend following what the Forest Hills School District described as "a recent decline in health related to long-term medical challenges he has faced bravely for some time."
Assistant Superintendent Kim Tinsley announced the death in a letter to all district families on Sunday. Dr. Urbaniak also taught at Turpin High School in prior years. His wife and two children survive him.
"He was not only respected for delivering high-quality instruction, he helped create an infectious culture of positivity and curiosity in both his students and his colleagues," Tinsley wrote in the July 26 letter. "Dr. Urbaniak will be remembered for bringing the German language and culture to life, but also for developing strong relationships and connections with students and staff at Anderson, Turpin and Nagel."
The district activated its Traumatic Event Crisis Intervention Plan, the framework all Forest Hills schools use to guide psychological and emotional support after traumatic events. Members of the Anderson High counseling team and licensed therapists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital were available at Anderson High School on Monday, July 27, and Tuesday, July 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Students knew him as "Dr. U." On the district's Facebook post, one parent wrote:
"Dr. U was an AMAZING educator, approaching topics with humor and a sense of adventure. My daughter came home from school at least once a week with a Dr. U story. She looked up to him so very much."
The parent said her daughter had been looking forward to taking German with him again in the fall.
Services
WLWT reported a visitation is planned for Wednesday, July 29, at Zettler Funeral Home in Hamilton, followed by a funeral in Fairfield on Thursday, July 30.
Support resources
The district shared the following resources for students and families:
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, available 24/7
- Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) at Cincinnati Children's Hospital: 513-636-4124, for non-life-threatening mental health crises
- Safer Ohio School Tip Line: 844-723-3764, for safety concerns
Additional resources are available on the FHSD Community Resource List and in a guide from Fernside Center for Grieving Children, both linked on the district's website.
How to share memories
Dr. Urbaniak's family is asking community members who want to share memories, stories, cards, or photos to drop them off or mail them to Anderson High School at 7560 Forest Road, Cincinnati, OH 45255, or email [email protected]. The district plans to compile a scrapbook for his family.
