Wendell Foote, Class of 1960

We are sad to share the news the passing of beloved Otterbein alumnus Wendell Foote ’60 on Wednesday, January 22, 2020. Wendell had been a resident of Silverton, Oregon for almost five decades. He and late spouse Judith Lovejoy Foote ’58 were lifelong Otterbein supporters.

After serving in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, Wendell studied chemistry and biology at Otterbein. A member of the Otterbein football team, he met Judith at a mixer for Zeta Phi and Sigma Alpha Tau in 1958. While a student, Wendell did full-time research at Battelle Memorial Institute. After graduation, he worked in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries with Wyeth Laboratories, Xerox and H.B. Fuller before co-founding Specialty Polymers, Inc. He has advised professional societies and environmental and regulatory agencies.

Dedicated to promoting science among youth, Foote endowed a science fund at Oregon’s Linfield College. At Otterbein, he served on the campaign committee for the Science Center. He and Judith created the Science Center’s Foote Atrium—a beautiful open space that continues to inspire faculty, students, and visitors today. The All Star Corridor funded by the Footes in Clements Recreation Center celebrates the excellence and achievement of Otterbein athletes.

In 2009, the Footes received the Service to Otterbein Alumni Award. Wendell Foote remained a lifelong supporter of the sciences at Otterbein and for many years was the largest consistent annual donor to the Otterbein FUND. Otterbein proudly recognized Wendell Foote in 2017 with The Mary B. Thomas Award for Commitment to Otterbein, the University’s highest honor recognizing extraordinary philanthropic leadership, service, and advancement of Otterbein’s mission. Wendell touched countless lives through Otterbein; he will be deeply missed.