A familiar figure in Charleston for more than three decades, India-born Sam Uppala made his mark here in the chemical industry and also as a certified wine professional and busy volunteer. He moved in early November to Charlottesville, Va.

"If anybody asks me to name ...

... the most important event or day in my life, ...

... I would say the day I became a United States citizen."

This passport picture of Sam Uppala was taken in 1968.

In college in Montana, Sam Uppala was photographed as he worked on a research project.

In the mid-1970s, Sam Uppala was settling into his new life in Charleston and his work for DuPont.

A picture captures well-dressed DuPont representative Sam Uppala in the mid-1980s.

9.25x6.5 UPPULA6 Sam Uppula INNERVIEWS photo by chris dorst