Dirck Uptegrove passed away on April 22, 2026. He was 79 years old.

Born in Summit, NJ, to parents Neil and Emily (Knight) Uptegrove, Dirck graduated from West Morris Central High School before obtaining his Bachelor’s degree in Physics in 1969 from Stevens Institute of Technology, followed by Master’s degrees in Mathematics and Physics, also from Stevens. He spent most of his childhood living in Mendham and returned with his wife and children in 1984. He relocated to Morristown with his wife in 2017, where he had been a resident since.

Dirck worked as a programmer for Xybion Corporation from 1976 through 1984, where he met the love of his life, and as an Engineer for Nokia (formerly Alcatel Lucent) for the rest of his career, attaining the title of Distinguished Member of Technical Staff, before his retirement in 2016. During his time at Nokia, Dirck was a member of teams that obtained many patents related to signal processing and earned the unofficial title of "Technical Guru."

Dirck was passionate about mathematics and spent his leisure time exploring proofs and complex equations for fun. He was an active member of the New Jersey section of the Mathematics Association of America for many years, serving as Web Administrator and most recently as Treasurer. He received the NJ Section Award for Distinguished Service in 2023.

Dirck was more than an intellectual. He was a Shakespeare enthusiast, a talented artist, a masterful poet, and a lover of classical music. Dirck served on the board of the Suburban Community Music Center (now called Wharton Arts) in New Providence, for many years, where he was known for his willingness and ability to handle any problem.

In retirement, Dirck loved solving puzzles with his wife, traveling the world, and building MAGNA-TILE castles with his grandsons.

Dirck is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Elizabeth Uptegrove, daughters Gretel Uptegrove and Kirstin Uptegrove (Frank Bucko), brothers Eric Emerson Uptegrove, Pieter Willem Uptegrove, and Leif Neilson Uptegrove, sisters Heidi Courtney and Liese Uptegrove, and grandsons Jackson Wylie Bucko and Dean Joseph Bucko. He is predeceased by his stepson, William Lawrence Jordan.

Visitation will be held on April 30, 2026 from 10 AM to 11 AM, with a Memorial Service immediately following at 11 AM at the Bailey Funeral Home, 8 Hilltop Road, Mendham. Donations in Dirck’s memory may be made to Wharton Arts or to the NJ Section of the Mathematical Association of America, c/o Paul von Dohlen, 3 Browning Court, Mendham, NJ 07945. (Please make checks out to MAA-NJ.)