DeWitt George Hupp

1926 - 2025

DeWitt George Hupp

August 20, 1926 – September 23, 2025

"Many moons I have lived

My body's weathered and worn

Ask yourself how old would you be

If you didn't know the day you were born

Try to love on your wife

And stay close to your friends

Toast each sundown with wine

Don't let the old man in."**

Our Father, Husband, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Friend, Confidant, Chief Mechanic and Best Buddy to a good many dogs and cats left us on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at the home he built himself in Grass Valley, CA.

DeWitt George Hupp was born August 20, 1926 in Santa Ana, California to Hattie (Hutton) and Victor Hupp, the oldest of 3 boys. DeWitt grew up a child of the orange groves, helping his Dad with his small engine business and doing his best to live up to the very exacting standards of his school teacher Mother. He was a lifelong learner, always reading, always curious and even in his last week he was concerned for the well-being of the Big Bear Lake nesting eagles.

He entered WW2 as a 17 year old and told many stories of his years in the Army Engineering Corps, riding troop ships from Italy through the Panama canal and helping to lay fuel lines across the Philippines. After that he went to San Jose State and gained his degree, then entered the Korean war as Military Police where he served in the Monterey area.

In 1954 he joined the California Highway Patrol (Badge # 1425) and served proudly and well while maintaining his essential humorous nature and wry wit. His easy-going nature allowed him to befriend both the lawful and the lawless without needing to resort to confrontation. From the Los Angeles freeways to the mountain roads of Big Bear Lake and then on to Newcastle in northern CA he served his state and his fellow citizens in his stern but kind manner.

He married his first wife Shirley Brant in 1954 and had two daughters, Suzanne (Rich Abbott) Himmler and Wendy (Louie) Tassone; 4 grandchildren, Grant (Carin Champion) Himmler, Kirsten (Jonathan) Himmler Wyall, Blake (Haliey) Tassone, Brooke (Ryan Armand) Tassone; Stepdaughter Chris (Jay) Little; and 5 great grandchildren, Georgia Wyall, Hazel Wyall, Isla Wyall, Adalee Tassone and Greyson Armand.

In 1986 he met Patricia Murphy, who put the sparkle in his eye and the spring in his step for almost 40 years. They were married in 1995. She convinced him that seeing the world was a good thing and they visited England, Ireland, Hawaii and cruised the Caribbean in between traveling the entire country in their RV accompanied by dear friends. She was at his side through many adventures and all the way to his last day, devoted and loving to the very end. He was blessed to have her in his life.

He never did let the old man in, his quiet good humor and loving kindness made us all better people and he will be dearly missed.

** Excerpt from Don't Let the Old Man In, written and performed by Toby Keith.