Dennis A. Lupher

Dennis A. Lupher, Ph.D., Emeritus Associate Professor of Economics at Ohio University, passed away January 3, 2022 in Circleville, OH. Dennis was born March 1, 1938 in Meadville, PA to Manley and Norma (Fiske) Lupher. 
Dennis graduated from Townville (PA) High School in 1956. He then joined the United States Air Force and reported for training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. After basic training he became an instructor of Advanced Radar Systems at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS (1956-1960). It was here that he decided to become an educator. Before pursuing education, Dennis completed his Air Force commitment, serving in the Air Force Reserves (1960-1962). Following his Air Force service he earned a B.S. in Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and began his long teaching career. 
In 1967 while teaching in Pennsylvania Dennis joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve after meeting a recruiter at a ball game, then received a direct commission as Lieutenant Junior Grade. About that same period of time he received a grant from the National Science Foundation to pursue his Masters Degree. These two decisions determined the rest of his teaching and military service careers. He completed his Masters Degree in Economics in 1969 and went on to earn his Ph.D. in Economic Education in 1973 from Ohio University Athens. During his time with the Coast Guard Reserve, Dennis served nine units with eight commanding officer assignments. His service encompassed over 15 years of command. His final Coast Guard assignment, at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, was as the Element Commander of Joint Transportation Reserve Unit, USTRANSCOM – a command of the US Department of Defense that coordinates global missions using both military and commercial transportation. He would retire in 1996 as a Captain from the USCG at Scott Air Force Base, ending his military career with over 35 years of service. 
After working for the Ohio Department of Education for three plus years as a state supervisor of Economic Education, he joined the faculty of Ohio University Lancaster. Dennis was a part of the Ohio University family for over five decades where he taught courses in micro- and macro-economics, business statistics, and management & consumer survival in the marketplace. He also gave workshops on real estate investment for small investors. 
Education was very important to Dennis. He helped many family members obtain their college degrees. In 2005 he established the Fern Mitcham Scholarship in honor of his grandmother. The scholarship benefits a student pursuing an undergraduate degree in education at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. In 2008 he created the Dennis and MaryAnn Lupher Scholarship for Ohio University Lancaster students with a preference for non-traditional students. 
Dennis wholeheartedly gave of his time to his community. He was a member of the Carroll Lions Club from October 1973 until his death and served as club president for four separate terms. He joined Shalom United Methodist Church in Carroll in the 70s, serving as Chairman of the Building Committee for the construction of both the “church on the hill” in 1987 and the Family Life Center to the church in 2003. In addition to Lions Club and various church committees, Dennis gave of his time to Lancaster Foundation Dinners, Salvation Army Annual Christmas Donation Drives, Red Cross Blood Drive, and mission trips with Shalom United Methodist, among others. 
Dennis is survived by his wife of over 39 years, MaryAnn; his sons, Curtis Lupher (Kelly), Damon Lupher, and Kyle Houser (SueAnn); his daughters, Kristan Cheek (Keith), and Keltah Houser-Siders (Sean); his stepmother, Jean Lupher; his siblings, Judith Malinowski, Vance Lupher, and Anne Lupher; ten grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. 
He was preceded in death by his parents, Norma and Manley Lupher; grandson, Brandon Lupher; and daughter-in-law, Bertha Lupher. 
Visitation at Dwayne R. Spence Funeral Home, 650 W. Waterloo Street, Canal Winchester, OH 43110 will be on Friday, January 14 from 3-6 pm. A Lions Service will be held at 6 pm at the funeral home at the conclusion of the visitation. Funeral service at Shalom United Methodist Church, 4925 Plum Road, Carroll, OH 43112, will be on Saturday, January 15 at 12 noon. Interment with military honors at Wesley Chapel Cemetery on Rockmill Road, Lancaster, OH 43130. 
In lieu of flowers, you may make contributions in memory of Dennis to Shalom United Methodist Church. To leave online condolences, please visit www.spencefuneralhome.com.