What a long, but educational journey it’s been for the Kupe family. After the family’s beginnings in Africa and expansion in Germany, the family is putting down roots in the Clarkston area.
The family patriarch, Dr. Joachim Kupe, moved to Michigan with his wife, Dr. Anne-Marie Kupe, from Germany 10 years ago. The family has lived in the Clarkston area since 1999, when Joachim transferred from Delphi’s Grand Rapids location to an office in Flint.
The transition to Clarkston was an easy one, the couple said.
‘Clarkston made us feel like family,? Anne-Marie said.
‘It’s really a caring community.
‘I feel like I was born here and you don’t have that everywhere.?
‘You have a feeling of belonging,? Joachim seconded.
Joachim is the chief engineer for fuel cells and reformers. His career has been aimed at reducing vehicular fuel consumption, including an ignition system he created. The system, still going through refining, is called a ‘lean burn,? which alters the air/fuel mixture used in ignition.
Joachim was hired by General Motors in Luxembourg after college and has been with the company for almost 20 years.
The couple studied at Aachen University, a technical school in Germany, starting in 1974, after traveling there to study. The Kupes met as high school freshmen while growing up in the African nation of Congo.
While studying in Germany, the family’s first child, Carla, was born in 1980. Joachim, studying mechanical engineering, and Anne-Marie, studying biological science, were able to continue with their work while raising their first child with patience and some help from available resources.
‘It was challenging, but not stressful,? Anne-Marie said.
The public transportation and day care programs were very helpful, she said.
‘As young person, you don’t feel the way you do now, it was manageable and fun.?
Joachim received his master’s degree in electrical engineering in 1982 and from there began work on his Ph.D. Under a different university structure, Joachim was a professor at the institution while working on his thesis. Anne-Marie majored in biology and obtained her master’s degree in microbiology. Her Ph.D. became official in 2002 after the couple flew to Germany so she could defend her thesis over a weekend trip.
Anne-Marie was a professor at Oakland University, where she taught general biology, medical parasitology, and human anatomy from 2002-?05.
She is in the process of transcribing her findings of her independent research into nutrition, cancer and other microbiology-related topics for publication in peer-reviewed journals. She would love to return to the podium in the future.
‘That’s my passion, doing research and communicating that to my students,? she said.
‘I like passing my research on to future generations.
‘In teaching’you meet all types of students and I see how I bring encouragement to them.?
Joachim plans to continue progressing vehicles to a more environmentally safe standard.
‘The fact I can contribute to, and enhance vehicle development while making it more environmentally compliant, that’s a big drive on my part,? he said.
‘We have to be stealth in keeping the environment God gave us, for future generations.
‘I’m trying to be a good steward of what (God) has given us and making sure future generations enjoy the same priveliges.?
Like many Clarkston families who emigrated from surrounding areas, the Kupes heard about the area’s school system, a significant factor taken into consideration when moving. With one child already in college, the family had three more children to think about going through the educational system.
‘The school system is very, very good and we’re very proud of that,? Anne-Marie said.
‘They’re in advanced classes that prepare them well for college.
‘I like the cooperation between the teachers and parents.?
Carla is now a second-year law student at Loyola University in Chicago and second daughter Laura graduated from Clarkston High School in 2006. She currently attends the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Oliver, 17, and Johanna, 15, attend CHS and are just as active as their older sisters were in their high school days.
Laura was the president of the student council, a member of National Honor Society and also a track star. Oliver, a junior, maintains a GPA near 4.0 while continuing to be a standout soccer prospect and a crucial member of Clarkston’s basketball team. Sophomore Johanna plays volleyball and runs track while belting out ‘The Star-spangled Banner? from time to time at sporting events. A violinist in the school orchestra, Johanna sings at the family’s church, St. Daniel’s in Clarkston.
The family puts academics higher than any athletic accomplishments, an idea Oliver learned from his older sisters. Also a member of the National Honor Society, he said he tries to emulate Laura’s work ethic.
‘She’s had the biggest academic influence on me. She was an excellent student. I use the same study and work habits as her, it obviously worked for her. I try to mirror her in that way.?
One can only imagine the standards for 3-year-old Isabella, currently a day care attendee. The youngest Kupe came as a surprise to her family and she’s ‘a really big light in our lives,? Oliver said.
Isabella makes the trip with her parents, who make sure to attend their kids? athletic contests, no matter what sport or season. It’s a matter of prioritizing family before other interests, Joachim said.
‘It’s a good feeling, it makes me want to play harder,? Oliver said. ‘It’s a big deal for my parents to be at my games.?
The Kupes, members of St. Daniel’s for eight years, channel their faith into everyday life.
‘All we have and all we are comes from God. We look to him to lead us and everything we do is based on giving him the glory,? Joachim said.
‘It’s our duty to do our best with (our) gifts, by doing so, we give him the glory.?
‘That’s God’s call for me, to contribute to healing humankind from diseases,? Anne-Marie said.
‘I feel I have to contribute by using my talent and intelligence for human (progress).?
The Kupes raise money to send to the Thello orphanage in Congo and the family does volunteer work with St. Dan’s.
For the past two years, Anne-Marie has been on the Board of Directors at Lourde’s Nursing home in Waterford.
Keeping track of every day in the family could be an occupation in itself.
‘It’s an act of balance and time management. We do whatever possible to employ it,? Joachim said.