Fred Hupprich

1926 - 2024

Lifelong Alaskan Fred Hupprich passed away peacefully at the Pioneer Home on Dec. 4, 2024.

Ninety-eight years ago, Carl Ben Eielson covered a pregnant Elizabeth Hupprich in caribou hides, flew her in his open cockpit plane, a Curtiss "Jenny" to Fairbanks from Nenana and the life of Fred Hupprich began.

Fred was born to George Hupprich and Elizabeth (Rappolt) Hupprich at St. Joseph's Hospital on Nov. 3, 1926.

Fred spent his early years with his family in Nenana where his father started a transfer service hauling wood, coal and ice, and his German-born mother worked in her uncle Henry's bakery. Fred and his brothers, George and Bob, grew up helping out with their father's transfer service. A time when all you needed to drive a truck was to be able to reach the pedals. Fred's early years were not all work; he shares fond memories of the mischief he would get into with his brothers, and the Coghill, Wright, Robinsons and Ketzler boys. One of his favorites involved some blasting powder and their schoolteacher's outhouse. "Nenana was a great place to grow up" Fred often reminisced about steering the Steamboat SS Nenana, walking across the top of the railroad bridge, camp outs with friends and Fourth of July celebrations.

At 16, Fred moved to Fairbanks with his mother and two sisters, Betty and Martha, while his brothers were away in the military. At that time, Fred helped support his family working as a truck driver hauling wood around town and eventually working for the road commission.

Fred was inducted into the Army in April 1945 during the tail end of World War II. Fred remained stationed in Alaska for the duration of his time in the military and was discharged at Ladd Field Nov. 4 1946, one day after his 20th birthday.

In 1985 he retired from the State of Alaska as a mechanic for the Department of Fish and Game. Fred enjoyed his time with the Department of Fish and Game and built lifelong friendships with the biologists he worked with.

Fred was a true "Jack of all Trades" - he was a truck driver, heavy equipment operator, pilot, mechanic, welder, bar owner, gold miner, inventor, and great friend and neighbor. Throughout his retirement years he enjoyed working in his shop where he built boats, mining equipment and repaired all things his friends and neighbors needed help with. His shop was his favorite place, second only to his chair during happy hour having "just one" drink with his wife, Louella.

Fred met the love of his life and wife of 53 years at the Fairbanks Curling Club. Together, Fred and Louella built a wonderful life in Fairbanks where they raised two boys, Roy Hupprich and Noel Hupprich. Fred and Louella enjoyed traveling around Alaska, the Lower 48, and spending time at the family's cabin near Circle Hot Springs.

Fred was a proud member of the Pioneers of Alaska Igloo #4. In 2016 he and Louella were honored as King and Queen Regent.

Family and friends meant the most to Fred, He was part of a big family and was very close to all his nieces and nephews. In 2005 he became a grandpa and again in 2007. He was very proud of his grandsons, Luke Hupprich and Milo Hupprich, and loved seeing them grow up and passing on his advice.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents, George Hupprich and Elizabeth (Rappolt) Hupprich Bennet; wife, Louella (Olson) Hupprich; father- and mother-in-law, Roy and Ruth Olson; brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Charmaine Hupprich, and Robert and Donna Hupprich; sisters and brothers-in-law, Betty and Ray Lorenz, and Martha and Jim Haight; brothers-in-law, Richard Bouillion and Chris Goll; and nephews, Rick Lorenz, Mike Haight and Ted Haight.

Fred is survived by his sons, Roy Hupprich and Noel Hupprich; sistersin-law, Sylvia Bouillion and Lauris Goll; grandsons, Luke Hupprich and Milo Hupprich; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fred's sons, Roy and Noel, would like to thank family, friends and the Fairbanks community. In particular, they would like to thank the staff at the Pioneer Home, Fairbanks Hospice Care and Fairbanks Memorial Hospital for their kind and personal caregiving to dad. They would also like to thank Jody and Jason Thomas, Tony Carl, Brooke Casey and the extended Eagan and Sather families for their friendship and support.

Funeral services will take place at 2 p.m. Dec. 13 at the Pioneer Home, 2221 Eagan Ave., Fairbanks, AK, 99701, followed by a burial celebration to be scheduled later during the summer of 2025.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Fairbanks Hospice, Fairbankshospitalfoundation.com.