1924-2006

LOGAN, UTAH: Our beloved father, grandfather, and brother passed away peacefully on February 11, 2006 in Mesa, Arizona, after nobly and valiantly struggling with cancer for four years. Owen was born on May 21, 1924 in North Ogden, Utah to Parley Grant Shupe and Luella Chadwick Shupe.

He was the tenth of fourteen children. He grew up in North Ogden and attended Weber High School. He married Lois Ann Mathis on May 24, 1951 in the Salt Lake Temple. Lois preceded him in death on July 23, 1985. He later married Carol Christensen Chapman.

Owen was a World War II veteran having first enlisted at the age of eighteen in the Army Air Corp. He later graduated from the Aviation Cadets as a Lieutenant and served as a Bombardier on both B-17's and B-24's.

After his military service he graduated from Weber College, and Colorado School of Mines. He worked for three years in Richland, Washington and then returned to Utah to earn a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Utah. He spent three years in Blackfoot, Idaho working at the National Reactor Testing Station. His work focused in Nuclear Engineering and he was instrumental in the design and development of the world’s first fast breeder reactor.

Owen had a zest for life and learning. He also had an inherent desire to share that passion with others. In 1961, he accepted a teaching position at Utah State University in the Mechanical Engineering Department. He spent the next thirty-one years as a professor teaching and assisting young people in their quest for a higher education.

After retiring from USU in 1991, Dad and Carol served a mission for the LDS church in Germany. He maintained a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ and expressed it most by his example and service. He served faithfully in several bishoprics, as a High Councilor, temple worker, and as a teacher and mentor, especially to the young people of the church.

His charismatic personality and sincere desire to serve allowed him to positively affect the lives of many. He loved his family and continually kept busy serving and supporting them.

He is survived by his wife Carol, his two sons: Keith G. (Sonja) Bountiful, Utah, Karl M (Lisa) River Heights, Utah, Stepchildren: Susan Harding (Randy) Mesa, AZ, Dana Sorenson (Chris) Mesa AZ, Telford Chapman(Stacy) Snowflake AZ, Mark Chapman (Debbie) Flagstaff, AZ; seven grandchildren, sixteen step-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, six brothers and one sister.

Owen was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; daughter Karen A. Shupe Greene (Jay) and 2 grandsons.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, Feb 18 at the Logan 1st Ward chapel, 100 S. 200 W., Logan. There will be a viewing from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, Feb 17 at Allen-Hall Mortuary 34 E. Center, Logan and one hour prior to the service at the church on Sat. Interment will be in the Smithfield City Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at Allen Mortuaries.