2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 44
BY SENATOR FOIL
A RESOLUTION
To express the sincere condolences of the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
death of Denver Loupe, PhD, long-time 4-H leader and expert in sugarcane science.
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe was born on February 4, 1927, on a farm near Burnside,
Louisiana, in Ascension Parish to parents, Stephney Loupe and Linda Marie Gaudin Loupe;
and
WHEREAS, he was predeceased by his wife of sixty-eight years, Ferne Kemp Loupe
and the couple raised two children, Stephen and Stephenie; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe graduated from Gonzales High School, in Gonzales,
Louisiana, in 1944 and attended Northwestern State College in Natchitoches, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Loupe served his country in the United States Navy during World
War II, from 1944 to 1946; and
WHEREAS, upon returning from service, Denver Loupe attended Louisiana State
University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Vocational Agriculture Education in 1949; and
WHEREAS, after graduating from LSU, he taught Vocational Agriculture, first at
Gonzales High School and, later, at Dutchtown High School; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Loupe was named County Agent in St. James Parish in 1952, the
same year that he settled, permanently, in Baton Rouge and he was promoted to Sugarcane
Specialist in 1954; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe returned to LSU to continue his education and received
his Masters Degree in Agricultural Extension Education in 1957 and his PhD in Botany and
Plant Pathology in 1961; and
WHEREAS, he continued his work with the LSU AgCenter as the division leader in
plant science in 1972 and was named the director of that division in 1978; and
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WHEREAS, Denver Loupe retired from his forty-one years of dedication to the LSU
AgCenter on June 30, 1993, having served as Vice-Chancellor of the AgCenter and Director
of the Cooperative Extension Service; and
WHEREAS, Denver and Ferne Loupe established and endowed the "Denver and
Ferne Loupe Fellowship" which is endowed in the LSU Foundation, a lasting legacy to a
beloved institution; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Dr. Loupe was a member of twenty-two
professional organizations and was considered an international authority in sugarcane
production and science; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe received numerous awards from youth groups,
agricultural associations and community organizations for his outstanding contributions to
all three aspects of his career; and
WHEREAS, he was deeply committed to serving the youth of Louisiana and the
nation through his involvement in 4-H, beginning with his involvement as a member of
Ascension Parish 4-H; and
WHEREAS, 4-H is a U.S. based network of youth organizations, founded in 1902,
whose mission is "engaging youth to reach their fullest potential while advancing the field
of youth development"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Loupe was the first president of the Louisiana 4-H Foundation
which was established during his tenure as state director of 4-H, he served as a board
member of the National 4-H Council and in 1983, he was recognized by National 4-H for
his outstanding service to the 4-H program nationwide; and
WHEREAS, throughout his career, Dr. Loupe received over thirty awards for his
service to the people of Louisiana from numerous professional and community organizations
highlighting his positive impact in a state where agriculture is the lifeblood of the economy
and sugarcane is a primary crop; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe served as secretary, vice-chairman, and chairman of
Southern Region Extension Directors, he was a member of the National Extension
Committee on Organization and Policy, and in 1992 he was named Progressive Farmer
"1992 Man of the Year", an exceptional honor granted by his peers in agricultural extension
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around the nation; and
WHEREAS, honored by those in his agricultural area of expertise, sugarcane science,
Dr. Loupe was elected general secretary of both the International Society of Sugarcane
Technologists and of the American Society of Sugarcane Technologists; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe was an ex-officio member of the Louisiana 4-H
Foundation, the Board of Directors of National 4-H Center, and he served as president of
Gamma Sigma Delta and was a recipient of their service award; and
WHEREAS, as a veteran of WWII, he was a sixty-five year member of LSU's
American Legion Boyd/Ewing Post 58 and an active member of the "Cadets of the Ole War
Skule"; and
WHEREAS, Denver Loupe was awarded LSU's highest honor when in 2007 he was
inducted into LSU's Military Hall of Honor; and
WHEREAS, throughout his ninety-three years, he was a man of commitment, service
and leadership, giving back to Louisiana's youth through 4-H, taking a leadership role in the
production and science of one of Louisiana's primary crops, sugarcane, serving in the U.S.
Navy, and investing in LSU's future and that of students statewide through an endowment
gift to Louisiana State University from Mr. Loupe and his wife, Ferne; and
WHEREAS, the contributions of Denver Loupe, PhD, are only summarized here but
will continue to be felt and celebrated for years to come.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby express sincere condolences upon the death of Denver Loupe, PhD.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
children of Denver Loupe, Stephen and Stephenie.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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