Limestone industry association starts memorial endowment for late Springfieldian

Courtesy Greenlawn Funeral Home

Chris Upp died in March.

The Missouri Limestone Producers Association has launched a memorial endowment campaign honoring Chris Upp, a Springfieldian and Conco Cos. employee who died earlier this year.

The goal of the Chris Upp Memorial Endowment is to raise $300,000 to establish two annual scholarships of $6,000 apiece for students enrolled in mining engineering, explosives engineering and geology programs at the Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, according to a news release. Upp, 49, died March 15 after being diagnosed with kidney cancer nearly nine years prior, according to his obituary posted to the website of Greenlawn Funeral Home.

Upp previously served as president of the MLPA and chair of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association Young Leaders group. He worked at Conco in Springfield for more than 25 years.

"Chris Upp's impact on our industry was profound. Chris is missed by his colleagues, but his contributions are not forgotten," MLPA President Matt Rosenthal said in the release. "The endowment campaign is a meaningful way to honor his memory and contribute to the next generation of industry leaders."