Ken Heupel, a retired Fresno State mechanized agriculture faculty emeritus, passed away on June 13. He was 84. In his 60-year career, he was committed to the agricultural industry in a host of ways, and many involved mentoring students as a faculty member of the Fresno State Plant Science Department mechanized agriculture program (1999-2020), Merced College Agriculture (1969-93) and Manteca High School (1965-69).

This led to a reputation as a "teacher of teachers" as countless ag educators received essential, hands-on training in his classes to share with future generations of high school students. He received the Jordan College's Salgo-Noren Excellence in Teaching Award (2009), California Agriculture Teachers Association Bronze Award (2018) and Teacher of Excellence Award (1990), and a California FFA honorary degree at its state conference (2017).

He taught a wide assortment of Fresno State courses covering farm machinery and equipment, equipment safety, electro-hydraulics, power systems technology and transmissions. His experience positioned him well to be a campuswide motor vehicle inspector and farm machinery and mechanics area manager.

As a Fresno State general agriculture degree student, he met Marlene Joy Webster, and they eventually married and moved to Oregon. After he received an ag teacher certification from Oregon State University, they started a sheep business while he taught at North Marion High School.

Later, they moved the business back to California, first to Manteca, then Merced and finally Le Grand, as their family grew and farming operation expanded to walnuts, almonds, peaches, tomatoes, corn and hay.

After he added a master's degree from Fresno State in 1990, he worked as a service manager at Ranchers Tractor Company (1993-99).

Besides owning an extensive list of retail, technical and maintenance credentials for John Deere, Kubota, Case, and other diesel engine and farm equipment companies, he designed and built his own technology to meet needs for various commodities (and he encouraged students to pursue similar projects).

His expertise was tapped by a host of other industry organizations that ranged from state and local education advisory committees, the farm bureau, county fair and olive production organizations.

Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home will host a visitation from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 12 and a funeral service at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13. A celebration of life will be held by the Heupel family at 2480 S. Burchell Ave., LeGrand, at noon after the funeral. RSVP to Keith at 209.761.9011 or Scott 209.769.0210.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Fresno State Mechanized Agriculture Program.

Checks can be made payable to: Ag One Foundation (note Ken Heupel on the memo line), 2910 E. Barstow Ave. M/S OF 115, Fresno, CA 93740, or you can make a gift.

Read more about his life and legacy.