“In the future, aggregates will remain a vast resource that provides continued benefits to society,” Upp wrote in 2016. “But our miners must keep pace. Be prepared to change.”
Lasting legacy
Battling kidney cancer for almost nine years, Upp was an inspiration to those around him. As written in an online tribute celebrating his life: “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.”
An avid golfer, traveler and fan of the St. Louis Cardinals, Upp was preceded in death by his father Dan A. Upp. He is survived by his wife Jill, and his three sons, Nathan, Tristan and Ryan Upp, his mother Gail Upp, his brother Jay Upp (Angela) and his sister Amy Bollinger (Kevin).
Upp is also survived by his in-laws, including his mother-in-law Wanda Robbins, Matt and Sheila Anderson, Mike and Tara Robbins, Jeff and Tonia Robbins, and Dennis and Lezlie Robbins.
As described in the online tribute, Upp cherished his family and had a deep love for his nieces and nephews, who include Evan Anderson, Olivia Anderson, Tori Turner (Andrew), Ashlie Robbins, Dalton Robbins, Torie Hunt (Conner), Kylie Robbins (Haley), Kelsey Clem (Austin), Tino Robbins (Bailey), Brett Herring (Colin), Shane Robbins (Keshia), Micheal Upp, Sam Upp, Grace Upp, Titus Upp, Porter Bollinger and Cooper Bollinger.
Those Upp touched within the aggregate industry won’t soon forget him, either.
“Everyone who met him always talked about what a great guy he was,” Baxter says. “He was honest, caring and open. He was super respected for his knowledge of the industry and the work he has done.”
