Dennis S. Nupdal

Dennis Stefan Nupdal was born October 31, 1949 in Grafton, ND, the second child born to Steve and Eva (Gullingsrud) Nupdal. He attended elementary school in St. Thomas, ND and graduated from high school in 1967 at Cavalier, ND. He worked in the family carpentry business that summer and enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 3, 1967. Dennis then served a tour of duty in Germany and a tour in Vietnam from January of 1969 until March of 1970. He was promoted to Specialist 5th Class and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with multiple Oak Leaf clusters, a Silver and Bronze Star for service above and beyond the call of duty, and the Good Conduct Medal. After his discharge from active duty at Oakland, CA, he returned home to Cavalier and resumed work as a carpenter in the family business, Nupdal Bros, Inc. In July of 1970, Dennis was in a single car accident which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Dennis was eventually transferred to Chicago to the VA Spinal Cord Injury Center for further medical treatment. When he returned to North Dakota in 1976, he accepted a full time position as a stenographer at the VA Regional Office in Fargo. After 17 months in that position, he decided to pursue an education in Santa Barbara, CA.
He graduated from Santa Barbara City College on the Dean's List with an Associate in Arts in Business Economics. Dennis then transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB), where he earned a Bachelor in Arts in Business Economics in 1981. After graduating he worked as the Financial Officer of Housing and Residential Services at UCSB. While working at the University, Dennis did volunteer work as the administrative arm of the local wheelchair basketball team for 17 years as well as being the starting center on the team for the entire time. He also played wheelchair football every October for 19 years. In 2006, he retired from UCSB after 25 years.
Dennis served as a counselor at a Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp for a week every summer for 20 years and taught wheelchair basketball, tennis, and floor hockey to physically handicapped children and developmentally disabled individuals. He was awarded "Volunteer of the Year" at UCSB in 1995. Dennis was a charter member of the Pacific Oaks Optimist Club and served as secretary-treasurer. After the club disbanded he continued as a member of the Santa Barbara Evening Optimists.
Dennis loved to play pool! He had been a member of an 8-ball pool league since 1994. He took up wheelchair tennis in the late 70's; both having been played until just recently. He also loved outdoor sports. Dennis rode his hand-cycle over 6000 miles since his retirement, and took his dog Spike for a walk every morning and afternoon. He loved his home and life in Santa Barbara.
Survivors include his parents, Steve and Eva Nupdal, Grafton, ND; siblings: Dianne (Gerald) Gerlach, West Fargo, ND, Roger (Mae) Nupdal, Clarksville, TN, Cindy (Randy) Meece, Fargo, Andy Nupdal (significant friend Janice Townson), Hensel, ND, Amber Greenwood (fiancé, Tyler Miller), Cavalier, ND, Jason (Ellen) Nupdal, Hallock, MN, James (Amanda) Nupdal, Crystal, ND, Joel Nupdal ( significant friend, Janet Schmitz), Hensel, ND; several nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; many dear friends; and his beloved miniature dachshund, Spike.
Preceding him in death were his grandparents; several aunts and uncles; brothers, Rory David and Stewart Orlin Nupdal.
Dennis Nupdal, 66, formerly of Cavalier, ND passed away February 13, 2016 at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.
A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 14, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at the Askew Funeral Home, Cavalier, ND. Burial will be held at the Mountain Cemetery, Mountain, ND.