Hubert and I briefly (and painfully) touched on plans for his burial and service to follow. But thoughts of memorials did not occur to us.
Therefore, when faced with writing my late husband’s obituary, and under added stress of deadline for publication, I was stymied. I knew Hubert disapproved of the wasteful extravagance of flowers for the deceased. What appropriate organization and/or expression of sorrow he would sanction was the dilemma.
Suddenly, and surely by telepathic instruction, the thought of a scholarship fund at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Hubert’s alma mater, came to me. Always with empathy for young artists and their families, Hubert was generous with counsel for them.
So, the Hubert Shuptrine Scholarship in Fine Arts Painting, a 501 (c) Fund, was established and duly announced in the obituary.
Within a short period, memorials flooded in honor of the university’s Distinguished Alumnus and beloved artist.
Each spring, it is very gratifying when I choose the scholarship recipient. To date, all ten artists have been given the booklet I wrote for the art department, An American Master: Journeys for the Sake of Art. And Hubert’s is the only scholarship at UTC which is awarded on two pronged criteria—scholastic merit and financial need. To date, each artist has continued to make me proud, and no doubt Hubert, as well.
Therefore, it is appropriate that a generous portion of revenues from sales of these giclées be dedicated to the Hubert Shuptrine Scholarship Fund. Currently, the fund exceeds $45,000.
Phyllis Shuptrine Best
Executrix, Estate of Hubert Shuptrine