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Robert Upchurch Obituary
February 9, 1928 - May 27, 2020
Chesterfield, MO
Robert "Phil" Phillip Upchurch, Doctor of Plant Physiology, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2020 at home in St. Louis, MO. Phil was born Feb. 9, 1928 in Wake County, NC and rose out of poverty to create numerous legacies with his wife, Sallaine Sledge Upchurch, including 71 years of devoted marriage. He leaves a big family of 3 children – Nelda Schuler (Kenneth), Debra Heck (Robert), and Barrett Upchurch (Diane) – 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. During the depression, Phil, a high school dropout, went on to earn B.S. and M.S. degrees at NC State & a PhD from University of CA-Davis. Honorably discharged U.S. Air Force Captain, he served 16 years in the reserves & 2 years at Elgin Air Force Base, FL. After becoming a tenured Professor at NC State, Phil rose to oversee international agricultural research at Monsanto in St. Louis before serving in various Associate Dean positions and as Director of Arboretum & Alumni Affairs at the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was a consultant to Eli Lilly, the U.S. State Department, & the EPA. He helped establish the School of Agriculture in Yemen. Phil founded the Plant Growth Regulation Society of America and was President of numerous professional associations, including the Weed Science Society of America & Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. In retirement, Phil enjoyed overseeing a 2,000-acre farm in Montgomery County, MO and cultivated the Upchurch and Allied Families Association from his genealogy passions. Private Services were held at Buchholz Mortuary West 2211 Clarkson Rd. Chesterfield, MO, and he was interred at Bellerive Gardens Cemetery in Creve Coeur, MO on May 29, 2020. Remembrance donations can be made to Upchurch and Allied Families Association, University of Arizona – Boyce Thompson Desert Legume Program, or the Libraries of NC State in Phil's name.
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Memories and Condolences
for Robert Upchurch
Sponsored by Buchholz Mortuary West.
5 Entries
Joe Leisz
July 14, 2020
Dr. Upchurch was one of the most amazing men I've ever met. He hired me when I was a freshman at Arizona in the Ag Alumni Office and helped me start on my career path as a fundraiser, introducing me to a large group of retired faculty who became friends and mentors that I worked with on an archives and oral history project. I was always amazed at the breadth of his knowledge and experiences, and loved to listen to his stories about working on military bases and traveling, farming and his family. He was quiet and serious-looking -- seemingly all business -- but there was always that spark in his eyes and a sly grin when he'd catch some of the students with a joke, or overhear stories about class or a research project. I'll always remember his coffee breaks -- at 10 and 2, on the dot. I still find I need my coffee then. He'll be missed by many. My deepest sympathies to Sallaine, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and all of his friends.
Diane L Richard
June 1, 2020
So sorry to hear of the death of Phil. He had more energy and drive than anyone I have ever met and at the time he was already in his 70s. His legacy to Upchurch and Allied Family History is unsurpassed and will be of such benefit to future generations. My condolences to his family.
May 30, 2020
Offering my sincere condolences during this difficult time, may are God grant you the strength and courage you need during this time. God does care for you and your family personally, and he is near to all those calling on him.
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