State College, Pennsylvania – Lee Upcraft, 87, of Foxdale Village, passed away on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at Mount Nittany Medical Center.
Born October 15, 1938, he was the son of Milton and Mabel Upcraft. Lee was a 1956 graduate of West Genessee High School in Camillus, NY and served as his class president. He earned an undergraduate degree in teaching in 1960 and a master’s degree in counseling in 1961 from Albany State Teachers College. It was there that he met his wife, Lillian. He earned his Ph.D. at Michigan State University in 1967.
In 1969, he moved his family to Penn State, where he ended his illustrious career as the assistant vice president of student affairs. At the same time, he served as affiliate full professor in the master’s and doctoral higher education program, training and educating future student affairs professionals. He authored and edited 10 books and more than 100 publications in his career. He was the rare scholar-practitioner in the field. Lee served the profession as a senior research scientist in the Center for the Study of Higher Education and earned assistant vice president emeritus and affiliate professor emeritus of higher education designations – of which he was very proud – at Penn State University.
More important than any of his career accomplishments, Lee valued his family. He made sure he was present for family events – softball games, football games, wrestling matches, volleyball matches, children’s theater and choir, track meets, and anything else in which his children and grandchildren had an interest. In retirement Lee worked with pitchers on the State College Area High School softball team, and he was a devoted Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Lee also enjoyed spending time woodworking, making desks, shelves, tables, and cabinets for his loved ones.
Dubbed “the travel master” of the family, Lee orchestrated family trips to their cabin on Washington Pond, ME. Washington Pond held a special place for Lee, as he and Lil escaped to the cabin for quality time with family and close friends. Lee had a love of music and the performing arts, reading nonfiction, and antiquing. He considered himself an “adopted Norwegian” as he fully embraced Lil’s Norwegian heritage with many trips to Norway over the years.
Lee is survived by his wife and best friend of 64 years, Lillian Skadberg Upcraft, his two children Kirsten Kennedy (Terry) of Houston, TX and John (Sabrina) Upcraft of Spring Mills, PA. His sister, Ann Corwine and her children Lisa and Matt survive in WA. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Kathleen Swank (Corey) of Bellefonte, PA, Gunnar Kennedy of Lexington, SC, Clay Upcraft of Spring Mills, PA, and Cameron Upcraft of Cayce, SC. Finally, he was survived by his great granddaughter, Marleen Swank, who brought a twinkle to Lee’s eye whenever she was around.
A celebration of life will be planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lee’s memory may be made to Centre County Habitat for Humanity.