Kenneth Wayne Uphoff December 10, 1930-December 29, 2010

Kenneth Wayne Uphoff of Portland was born on December 10, 1930 in Salem. He passed away peacefully December 29, 2010 at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend.

Grandpa Ken loved spending time in Sisters with his daughter and grandchildren. He delighted in watching his grandchildren grow and play, and they were a source of pride and pleasure, as well as constant amusement. Ken had a gift and a passion for telling stories and retelling - each tale becoming more elaborate and exaggerated with repetition.

Many of his fondest memories were of his family travels to Alaska and beyond, and of time spent on and around water with a fishing rod in hand. He also enjoyed listening to others' stories and loved sharing a good laugh. He took pleasure in cooking and savored his meals.

It was his great love for the outdoors that attracted him to Sisters country. When spending time here, he admired the snow and sun, the forests, mountains, rivers, lakes, and wildlife. An ideal day for Ken was sitting in the sun, stacking wood he had cut or splitting kindling for the winter. Ken had a passion for gardening and took pride in sharing his bounty with family and friends. One year his tomato crop was so abundant, and his tomato consumption so excessive, that he earned a trip to the doctor for elevated potassium levels!

Ken was a hard worker and provider. He was a trucker who worked long hours, a steel worker who put in numerous years at Oregon Steel Mill, an investor who saw value in land at a very early age, and the owner of a successful floral business. Ken was driven by, and lived according to, his clearly defined set of morals and values. His ability to convey what was good, fair, and right, was one of his finest attributes. He will be remembered for his wisdom and compassion.

Grandpa Ken loved getting his weekly subscription to The Nugget delivered to his Portland home, so he could read about Sisters when he was away. Should we fail to read an article in The Nugget, Ken would be sure to let us know what we were missing in town! The Nugget has lost a faithful reader, the Sisters community lost one supporter, and his family lost a beloved father and grandpa...but heaven gained another great soul.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Dobson Uphoff. Ken is survived by his daughter Mary Graham, grandson Cole Graham, and granddaughter Lily Graham all of Sisters; and son David Uphoff, grandson Parker Uphoff both of Vancouver, Washington.

Information provided by Mary Graham