Chris Upp Memorial
Scholarship Fund
The Missouri Limestone Producers Association (MLPA) and the MLPA Scholarship Foundation are honoring the life of Chris Upp by endowing several scholarships in his name as Missouri S&T, Chris’ alma mater. We invite everyone who had their life and career impacted by Chris to join us in this effort to replicate what Chris cared so much for – the future of our industry and the next generation of mining leaders.
These scholarships will be available to Missouri S&T students who are majoring in Geology, Explosives Engineering, and Mining Engineering.
Chris Upp was president of MLPA in 2015, served on the Board of Directors for three three-year terms, served on the MLPA Scholarship Foundation for twenty years, served as chair of the NSSGA Young Leaders Committee, and worked for Conco Quarries for over 25 years.
donate below:
If you prefer to give through the Community Foundations of the Ozarks (fee optional), visit tinyurl.com/MLPAFoundation
Checks accepted to:
MLPA Scholarship Foundation
PO Box 1725
Jefferson City, Missouri 65102
ABOUT CHRIS
Chris was born August 31st, 1973 in Springfield, MO to his father Dan A. Upp, and his mother Gail Upp. Chris was the older sibling to his brother, Jay, and his sister, Amy. He was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and attended Parkview high school. At Parkview, he would find his High school sweetheart turned Love of his life, Jill Robbins. In high school he would find one of the passions of his life, singing, as he started doing barbershop quartet.
He graduated from Parkview in 1991. In 1995, he began an internship at Conco Quarries, a place where he would work and became a general manager. He worked at Conco for an astounding 27 years. He graduated from the University of Missouri S&T in 1996, or at the time it was called the University of Missouri-Rolla. Later in 1996 he said ‘I do’ to the love of his life Jill, whom he proposed to via barbershop quartet.
He was a part of the MLPA (Missouri Limestone Producers Association) where at one point was the president, and served on many committees. He was also a part of several committees and boards for NSSGA (National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association). Other committees and boards he was a part of were such: Willard Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Chamber Transportation Committee, Habitat for Humanity board, and Missouri Teachers Workshops to name a few.
Chris was also a man of faith, and a member of Campbell United Methodist Church for over 30 years. There he would sing in the choir, teach Sunday school, volunteer with the youth group, children’s ministry, mission outreach, and many church wide activities.
More important than any committee, Chris was a caring, thoughtful, and loving dad to his 3 sons: Nathan, Tristan, and Ryan. He coached their baseball teams, watched them participatein sports, all while being the perfect role model and symbol of strength and positive masculinity for them. Chris and Jill had an adoring love for each other. They truly shared a special strength in their marriage that showed to others they were a strong team together, always supporting and cheering each other on.
Chris loved to golf with anyone willing to golf with him, he loved traveling and experiencing the world, he loved vacationing with his family, and having yearly trips with his friends. He was captain of his very own boat on Table Rock Lake, loved watching football, golf and baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals.
The most admiring thing about Chris was his strength and will. Chris fought a battle with Kidney Cancer for almost 9 years. The average person that didn’t know him, wouldn’t have guessed in their wild dreams that Chris was fighting a battle of such weight, but his character and soul was what touched people, not his body. His intelligence, thoughtfulness, and strong soul will never be forgotten by the many people that he impacted for 49 years.
ABOUT CHRIS
Chris was born August 31st, 1973 in Springfield, MO to his father Dan A. Upp, and his mother Gail Upp. Chris was the older sibling to his brother, Jay, and his sister, Amy. He was born and raised in Springfield, Missouri, and attended Parkview high school. At Parkview, he would find his High school sweetheart turned Love of his life, Jill Robbins. In high school he would find one of the passions of his life, singing, as he started doing barbershop quartet.
He graduated from Parkview in 1991. In 1995, he began an internship at Conco Quarries, a place where he would work and became a general manager. He worked at Conco for an astounding 27 years. He graduated from the University of Missouri S&T in 1996, or at the time it was called the University of Missouri-Rolla. Later in 1996 he said ‘I do’ to the love of his life Jill, whom he proposed to via barbershop quartet.
He was a part of the MLPA (Missouri Limestone Producers Association) where at one point was the president, and served on many committees. He was also a part of several committees and boards for NSSGA (National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association). Other committees and boards he was a part of were such: Willard Chamber of Commerce, Springfield Chamber Transportation Committee, Habitat for Humanity board, and Missouri Teachers Workshops to name a few.
Chris was also a man of faith, and a member of Campbell United Methodist Church for over 30 years. There he would sing in the choir, teach Sunday school, volunteer with the youth group, children’s ministry, mission outreach, and many church wide activities.
More important than any committee, Chris was a caring, thoughtful, and loving dad to his 3 sons: Nathan, Tristan, and Ryan. He coached their baseball teams, watched them participatein sports, all while being the perfect role model and symbol of strength and positive masculinity for them. Chris and Jill had an adoring love for each other. They truly shared a special strength in their marriage that showed to others they were a strong team together, always supporting and cheering each other on.
Chris loved to golf with anyone willing to golf with him, he loved traveling and experiencing the world, he loved vacationing with his family, and having yearly trips with his friends. He was captain of his very own boat on Table Rock Lake, loved watching football, golf and baseball, especially the St. Louis Cardinals.
The most admiring thing about Chris was his strength and will. Chris fought a battle with Kidney Cancer for almost 9 years. The average person that didn’t know him, wouldn’t have guessed in their wild dreams that Chris was fighting a battle of such weight, but his character and soul was what touched people, not his body. His intelligence, thoughtfulness, and strong soul will never be forgotten by the many people that he impacted for 49 years.
