Robert Eugene Hupman, 88, Naples, Fla., and formerly of Loretto, passed away Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, after a brief illness. Born June 3, 1922 to H. Fowler and Eva Sophia Hupman in Clark County, Ohio, he was one of three children.
After graduating from high school, Gene attended Ohio State University for two years. In August 1949, he married Betty Peterson, who was working as a nurse at the Veteran's Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. In March 1961, Gene and Betty purchased her father?s dairy farm and the couple along with their five children moved to Loretto. He founded Lake Moor Farm around his herd of prized registered Jersey cattle and his twin silos were a longstanding local landmark. Gene was also a successful beef cattle and crop farmer and instituted several innovative farming techniques not yet practiced in his area, i.e. shelling versus picking corn.
Gene was a longtime member of the American Jersey Cattle Club and the National Farmers Organization and a charter member of the Lincoln Trail Farm Business Analysis Association.
After living in Kentucky for 25 years, Gene and his wife relocated to Naples, Fla., where he was an active member of Naples Land Yacht Harbor, a resident owned senior community.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Betty (Mary Elizabeth Peterson), and his infant grandson, Brandon Michael Hupman.
Surviving are his three sons, Sam (Sandi), George (Kim), Stephen (Debra); two daughters, Barbara Ratliff and Nancy Mantovani; two sisters Maxine (Michael) Kasper and Mary Ann Eldridge; 10 grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Visitation will be conducted Friday, Feb. 4, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mattingly Funeral Home, Loretto. A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church in St. Francis, Saturday, Feb. 5. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.