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Kenneth Zimmerman | all galleries >> Eighteen Years of PaD >> dec_04 > 12-09-04
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09-DEC-2004

12-09-04

Yesterday I explained about the beginnings of Whirlpool Coproration and posted a picture of Emory Upton's grave.
This is the gravesite of Louis and Fredrick Upton, the brothers who grew the business
from their humble begginings in Uncle Emory's small shop.
I have a personal connection with Whirlpool that goes beyond the 20 years
I've been working here.
My father spent 43 years with the Company, starting out as an
Assoiciate Buyer righ out of MSU and retiring as Director of Global Procurement.
Lou Upton, the founder, had a son named Robert who became President of the Company.
Bob had 4 children, one of them my age, Pete, and we were good friends while growing up.
I still live in a house today that I rent from the Upton family.
I really enjoy living in a small town, working for a global Company.

If not for the history lesson, I would have posted this shot.

Nikon Coolpix 8800
1/62s f/4.0 at 8.9mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
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Susanne11-Dec-2004 05:47
I am learning...politics here. However, not liking politics much I will comment on your picture. I like the smudge or blurr you created in the background, it makes this tombstone? stand out; Something that can not be changed.
Guest 10-Dec-2004 22:12
wow...lot's of family history in that company...both with your family and the UPtons.
i like the feel of this photo.
Steve Pepple10-Dec-2004 14:35
The Uptons are a good family. Fred Upton to this day remains one of the few politicians that I have absolute respect for. The Upton family has been good to St. Joe, even though the company has had to make some tough choices along the way to stay competitive (shutting down its plants there in 1986).