On August 21, 2026, Michael A. Hupfer, beloved husband of Patricia Hupfer (nee Rush); loving brother of George Hupfer; also survived by numerous extended family.

Michael began his journey on January 26, 1942, when his parents, George and Elizabeth Hupfer, welcomed him into the world. He spent his early years growing up on Mondawmin Avenue along with his older brother George and also enjoying the company of his maternal grandfather, Pop.  He initially attended St. Cecelia's School, but transferred to St. Agnes School after the family moved to St. Agnes Lane in Catonsville.  His father and grandfather saw to it that Michael became proficient in odd jobs around the house, including woodworking, which came in handy later in life as a homeowner.  His mother instilled in him a love of classical music which he enjoyed for his entire life.

After grade school, Michael continued his education at Calvert Hall, being a member of the last class to graduate from the old school in downtown Baltimore. While at Calvert Hall, he was a member of the swim team and his skills eventually led to a job as a lifeguard at the Westview Swim Club in Catonsville.  He enjoyed his days there, particularly teaching swimming lessons, and met many people whom he remembered fondly.

After Calvert Hall, Michael attended the University of Baltimore and received a degree in Accounting which led to his first professional job at the accounting firm Ernst & Ernst in downtown Baltimore.  Eventually, he moved on to Hospital Cost Analysis Service, which was the auditor for Blue Cross/Blue Shield. In that position, he visited many hospitals throughout Maryland and came away with lots of interesting stories.

All of this was in preparation for what became the majority of his career.  Someone he knew was looking for a new hire for a position in the Bureau of Health Insurance within the Social Security Administration which was the beginning of the Medicare program.  It turned out to be a wonderful opportunity and Michael advanced through the organization as it morphed from BHI to the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) and eventually into CMS, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Ultimately, he retired from the organization as the Deputy Director for the Medicare Demonstrations Program Group.  Along the way, two wonderful things happened.  First, he was recruited to attend the Executive MBA Program at Loyola College from which he graduated in 1977.  Several years later, during the Reagan Administration, Michael was awarded the President's Award for his work regarding a reimbursement program which saved the Government about $84 million a year.  There was a wonderful ceremony in Washington and, although President Reagan was not able to attend, Vice President George H.W. Bush did the honors and Michael has the plaque and photos memorializing the occasion.

The thing that Michael treasured most about his work was his ability to mentor young people as they started their careers in the Medicare Program. He was always available to help them navigate the intricacies of the Program and send them in an appropriate direction.  He always felt he made a difference in these new hires' work lives and enjoyed their success as much as they did.  He always said how talented and dedicated the people he worked with were and was thankful for having had such a fulfilling career.

That helpfulness also extended to neighbors and friends.  He was always available to help with a project, give advice regarding gardening or helping to shovel snow.  Michael also spent many years as an usher at the Church of the Resurrection in Ellicott City and after retirement, he and Pat spent countless hours for eight years helping to organize the Annual Used Book Sale held by the Social Justice Committee at the Church.  He also gave of his time and talents in our neighborhood as a member of the Board of the Legends of Turf Valley where we moved in 2004.

Although work and career took much time and effort, another event proved to be a major factor in his life.   In April of 1966, while attending a function of the Catholic Alumni Club (CAC sometimes known as "Catch A Catholic") at the ballroom of the Belvedere Hotel, he met Pat Rush who lived way, way, way on the other side of the world in East Baltimore.   Although they did not start dating then, they ran into each other at various social events.   Finally, in October, 1966, the night the Orioles won the World Series, they met again at a JOPA event at Oregon Ridge.  Michael finally called and scheduled a date.  Their first date ended at Velleggia's Restaurant which started a long association with not only Velleggia's but also various other restaurants in Little Italy which spanned six decades.

Michael and Pat were married on November 23, 1968, at St. Elizabeth's Church and shared more than 57 happy years.  Although life and jobs were sometimes very stressful, they found a love for travel, starting out small but eventually covering many countries in Northern Europe and finally settling on Switzerland as their place to go and unwind hiking the Swiss Alps.  After retiring in 2007, they were able to travel more and branched out into visiting a number of the U.S. National Parks and other areas out West and in Canada.  Unfortunately, Covid brought these adventures to an abrupt halt and by the time Covid was pretty much a thing of the past, the bodies, unfortunately, could not keep up with the rigors of travel.

Michael was into physical fitness and ran for many years, often three times a week, as well as working out at the gym.  Michael considered himself very lucky and was thankful he was able to do and accomplish so much that he never considered possible when he was a young man.

Although his journey has ended, Michael never regretted his decisions and treasured his family, friends and the people he met along the way and all the happy memories. He stayed the course and has finished the race.

Mr. Hupfer will lie-in-state at Stella Maris Chapel, 2300 Dulaney Valley Rd, Timonium, MD 21093, on Wednesday, August 26th from 10:30 to 11:00 AM, at which time a Funeral Mass will begin.  Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Church of the Resurrection, Vision 2020 Campaign, 3175 Paulskirk Dr., Ellicott City, MD 21042.