Marvin J. Uphaus, Jr. at 62, a lifelong resident of Mobile, died suddenly on Saturday, August 23, 2003 on Green Turtle Cay in the Bahamas. He was Chief Pilot for Mobile Air Center. He is survived by his devoted companion of 28 years, Betsy Hopson and her sister, Gena Hopson; one son Timothy C. (Jodie) Uphaus of Atlanta, GA daughters Rebecca Louise (Pat) Campeau of Tupelo, MS, Julie Ann (Shelley) Asmus of Opelika, AL, daughter-in-law Dorothy Upahus.

Marvin graduated with a degree in Physics from Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama, Betsy Hopson and Marvin’s son Tim received their glider ratings by way of Marvin’s great instruction. Marvin was an avid astronomer and a lifelong learner in that he was always questioning everything in an effort to learn more. A ride on the bike or a quiet flight in the glider or even just settling down with a good book and a friend like Betsy near, that’s when Marvin lived! Somebody said that Marvin was never satisfied just hearing about something, he had to try it, whatever it was for himself.

Marvin was Alabama SSA Governor and State Recordkeeper for some ten years (1977-1987). He belonged to the Gulf Coast Soaring Association, which was then based near Pensacola, and later moved to a private strip near Lillian, AL. In the early eighties, he bought a Standard Libelle, which he flew in the Region Five South Cordele contests for several years. He was very active in the Gulf Coast club as an instructor, organizer, and promoter of soaring. Marvin was on the staff in the 1983 Region 5 South contest in Cordele. He and his son, Tim, were also on the 1983 Standard Class Nationals staff at Cordele. If you met Marvin, you would have remembered his congeniality and his love of God’s creation.