Obituary of Harry Frank Upton

Harry Frank Upton liked to tell a story about how he joined the U.S. Air Force. Soon after arriving at Iowa State University as a freshman in the fall of 1949, they lined up the young men from his ROTC unit. Each man counted off, the ones matched with the nation's newly-formed Air Force, the twos stayed in the Army. Harry counted off one, and went on to serve proudly as a jet pilot from 1953 to 1956, attaining the rank of Captain. Harry counted life itself a blessing. He skied into his eighties, and took long walks until cancer took his strength earlier this year. He perished in the midst of outlining a book on how to be active and joyful through old age. Harry felt like he had a glimpse into a few secrets to life, and he sought to share them widely. Harry was 84 when he passed away, on Saturday, March 12, 2016 in Stamford, CT. He was a resident of Bondville, VT and Darien, CT. Born on July 1, 1931 in Carroll, IA, he was the son of the late Harry and Frances Talcott Upton. He received a B.S. degree from Iowa State University and a M.B.A. from Stanford University. Harry had a distinguished career in business. After completing graduate school, he joined Proctor & Gamble in product management. He then worked for Mead Johnson and Bectin Dickenson. At Abbott Labs, he rose to become the president of the consumer products division. Later, he worked at Lisher & Co., and started his own firm H. Upton Associates, Inc., which brought foreign healthcare related products to the market in the United States. He founded a company, Care Technologies, where he was granted two patents for OTL drug technologies. He retired from Care Technologies as president and CEO in 2004. After retiring, Harry gave back to the community. He coordinated volunteers throughout Windham County, VT for Green Mountain RSVP from 2005 to 2011. He was also a volunteer and organizer for Habitat for Humanity, a board member for Brattleboro Meals, and a trustee of the South Londonderry Free Library. He unwaveringly greeted friends and colleagues with a firm handshake. Over the course of his life, Harry was featured in Who's Who in Marketing; elected a town representative in Darien, CT from 1983 to 1986; served as a chapter president of the American Marketing Association from 1964 to 1966. He was on the board of directors of the Association of National Advertisers, Non-Prescription Drug Manufacturers. Harry is survived by his wife Peggy Upton of Bondville, VT and Darien, CT and three children, Elise Upton Young of Darien; Brett Upton of Rutland, VT; Matt Upton of Denver, CO. His eyes twinkled when he spent time with his four grandchildren Ryann Price, David Young, Meriel Upton, and Mac Upton. He is predeceased by two brothers, Robert Upton and Donald Upton; and one sister, Marge Doty. A Memorial Service open to all friends and family at Talmadge Hill Memorial Church, Darien at 4 PM on Saturday, April 30. In lieu of flowers, please donate in Harry Upton's name to Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity, P. O. Box 1159, Manchester, VT 05254 or at http://www.benningtonareahabitat.com/index.php/14-getinvolved/getinvolved/18-donate or South Londonderry Free Library, P. O. Box 95, 15 Old School Street, South Londonderry, VT 05155. www.lawrencefuneralhome.com Funeral Home: Edward Lawrence Funeral Home 2119 Post Road Darien, CT USA 06820