Obituary of Jan P. Updegraff

age 71, of Elmira, October 9, 2014. Survived by his wife of 47 years Mimi Hodge Updegraff; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and Vince Stalker of Corning; Jill and David Balderson of Basking Ridge, NJ; granddaughters, Haley and Samantha Balderson; grandson Luke Balderson; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Maryann and Phillip Long of Brisbane, Australia. Jan was born March 12, 1943, the son of Alec Payne Updegraff and Marguerite Collins Updegraff. His parents and brother, Derck C. Updegraff, predeceased him. He was a graduate of Horseheads High School, Elmira College and a military veteran. Jan served in the United States Air Force in the 6988th Security Squadron at Misawa Air Base in Japan from 1964-1966 and the 6924th Security Squadron at Da Nang Air Base in Viet Nam form 1966-1967. He was a member of the Beta Tau Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda at Elmira College and completed graduate work at Syracuse University. Following his military service, Jan began his banking career in 1967 with the Merchants National Bank and Trust Company of Syracuse, NY. His 37-year career at the Chemung Canal Trust Company began in February 1970. His professional responsibilities within the bank grew to Senior Vice President and Senior Investment Officer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and from 1997-2007 he served as the bank's President and Chief Executive Officer. Jan retired at the end of 2007 as Vice Chairman of the Board. He served on the bank's Board of Directors from 1996 to 2014. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Jan's volunteer leadership commitments included serving as President and/or Board Chair of the Bethany Retirement Home, Park Church, Southern Tier Hospice, Arnot Ogden Medical Center, Chemung County Chamber of Commerce, Southern Tier Economic Growth and the Elmira City Club. He was a member of the Elmira Country Club and the Elmira City Club. Jan also served on the boards of the United Way and the Arnot Art Museum for many years, working to raise operating and capital funds for those organizations. He often could be seen quietly assisting such organizations as Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum, and the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society in efforts to further their respective missions. During and following Jan's years of professional and volunteer service, he was awarded the 2003 Chemung County Chamber of Commerce Mary E. Kennedy Community Builder Award, 2005 Elmira-Corning Chapter NAACP President's Award, 2005 Elmira College President's Council Award, and 2008 United Way Errol Shand Award for Volunteer Service. Jan deeply loved his family and friends. His pride in being both from and of his community was evident to all who knew him. Jan loved to spend time with his three girls, Mimi, Karen, and Jill. In his retirement, his favorite activities were traveling, discussing the latest novels, taking long hikes in the woods, and driving his Corvette. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 1054 West Clinton Street, Elmira, NY, at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Jan's memory may be made to the Arnot Art Museum, 235 Lake Street, Elmira NY 14901 or the Clemens Center, 207 Clemens Center Parkway, Elmira NY 14901.