Verne Henry Kaupp

Laverne "Verne" Kaupp, age 84, of Columbia, Missouri, passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024, at Lenoir Woods. Born on April 15, 1940, in Denver, Colorado, Verne was the son of Henry and Yvettae Elsie Kaupp. On June 8, 2002, he married the love of his life, Patsy, with whom he shared many happy years.
Verne was a proud graduate of Manual High School in Denver, Colorado. His academic achievements were remarkable. He earned a B.S. in Physics from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1971, followed by a Doctorate in Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, in 1979. His illustrious career spanned decades of groundbreaking work in academia and research. From 1979 to 1997, Verne served at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, where he led numerous funded multisensor and interdisciplinary research projects. He continued his career as Director and Chief Scientist at the Alaska SAR Facility, Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, from 1997 to 2001. Following this, he took on the role of Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Research in Earth Science Technology (ICREST) at the University of Missouri, Columbia where he then retired. Verne was a vital member of several NASA science teams, focusing his research on multisensor and microwave remote sensing. A dedicated member of the IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society (GRSS) AdCom, Verne also served as General Chairman of the IGARSS 2004 Conference held in Anchorage, Alaska.
Beyond his academic and professional life, Verne was a man of faith and an active member of the Fairview Road Church of Christ in Columbia, Missouri.
Verne is survived by his devoted wife, Patsy Kaupp, and his family: his brother Dale (Karen) Kaupp; his children, Peter (Kris) Rathke, Suzanne (Peter) Hunt, Monica (John) Melton, and Megan (Travis) Schumacher; and his cherished grandchildren, Justin (Michelle) Kapitan, Kara Kapitan, Samantha Hunt, Greyson Hunt, Jade Melton, Brock Melton, Parker Schumacher, and Tate Schumacher. Verne was also blessed with five great-grandchildren and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Paul and David Kaupp.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at the Fairview Road Church of Christ. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m., with Brian Hajicek officiating.
Arrangements are under the care of Parker-Millard Funeral Services & Crematory. Condolences may be shared with the family online at www.parkermillard.com.