HARLAN P. FOOTE ~ Class of 1961
August 9, 1943 - February 18, 2010



Being born is like falling asleep and forgetting - dying is like awakening and remembering."

After having been an incredible blessing to so many different people in so many different and unique ways, Harlan P. Foote, 66, moved out of his earthly body to the freedom of living again in spirit, in the everlasting Love and Light of God on February 18, 2010. He was at home, surrounded by the love of his family.

He was born in Waterbury, CT on August 9, 1943, the eldest son of Wilbur "Bill" and Valerie Foote. The family moved first to rural Montana then to Seattle when he was a preschooler, and finally to Richland in his early elementary years. Anyone who knew Harlan in those days – a shy, quiet, awkward child who struggled to learn to read – would never have guessed at the brilliant mind that would manifest itself as he grew older. When Harlan discovered the wonders of mathematics and science around the age of 10, he became a joyful, life-long learner – and from then on, an avid reader.

In his youth he spent summers and school holidays working on his uncles' ranches in Montana. Although these experiences cured him of any desire to be a rancher or farmer, he developed a love of nature and animals that was with him for the rest of his life. Anyone who knew Harlan, knew that some of his best times were spent mountain biking, hiking, and in the company of his pets. In the last year of his life, he grieved the loss of three cats and a dog, but was comforted by the constant presence of his Ocicat, Wizard, until the very end.

Harlan graduated from Columbia High School in 1961, and Washington State University in 1965 with degrees in physics and mathematics. He then spent a year at the University of Colorado (Boulder) working toward an advanced degree in physics. In July of 1966, he moved back to Richland, and went to work for Battelle, where he was employed for the rest of his life. He was involved in countless projects, and produced much ground-breaking and sophisticated work in the areas of remote sensing, subsurface groundwater modeling, 3-D computer graphics and animation, geographic information systems, analysis and display of three dimensional seismic data, and algorithm development in multiple areas of applied mathematics. He held seven patents at the time of his death, with two more pending.

Harlan's first family as an adult was that of his brother, Tom ('66-RIP) and sister-in-law, Nancy. Nancy brought three very young daughters into the marriage, and later Tom and Nancy adopted a son. Uncle Harlan was an integral part of the lives of the family during the years the children were growing up. He and his brother had many great adventures together, traveling, mountain biking, backpacking, and hiking. Tom's death in July, 2001 was a great loss in Harlan's life.

In 1994, shortly before his 51st birthday, while on a one year sabbatical working on an advanced degree in mathematics at the University of Colorado, Harlan married Lynn-Marie Hatcher ('68) of Richland, with whom he had worked at Battelle for four years. She was the person who he said knew him and loved him better than anyone else in his life. Through Lynn-Marie, Harlan instantly acquired a complex network of people, all of whom, along with Lynn-Marie, remained his family. The fact that he and she decided to divorce in 2002 did nothing to keep their loving friendship from growing ever deeper, and the family from loving him more and more as the years went by. Many people did not understand the relationship between Harlan and Lynn-Marie, and it rather defies explanation. The best words to use are that he was Lynn-Marie's "Brother Bear" and she was his "Chipmunk". With the support of her husband and children, she was blessed to be his primary caregiver from the time she diagnosed him with advanced metastatic prostate cancer on 12/30/2009 until his death.

So, although he died without any biological relatives, he remained a truly treasured member of a diverse family. He is survived by Lynn-Marie Hatcher Peashka & husband, Thomas ('68), of Culdesac & Boise, Idaho. Lynn-Marie’s sons Seth & Canaan Peterson, & Seth’s wife, Sarah (all of Richland) were Harlan’s "kids", through good times and bad. Asher (6) and Noah (3), Seth and Sarah’s sons, were his "grandkids" – who loved him as "Grandpa Uncle Harlan". Lynn-Marie’s sister & brother-in-law, Sally ('60) and Richard ('58) Biggerstaff (of Goldendale & Richland) their three sons & one granddaughter never thought of him as anything but "family". He was referred to as "son" by Seth & Canaan's paternal grandmother, Carmie Peterson (Richland), and "real friend" by their biological father, Brad Peterson (Kennewick).

Harlan's other family was that of Charles and Karen Cole of West Richland. Charlie & Harlan had been the closest of friends since 1966 when they both started working at Battelle. They spent many unforgettable times mountain biking, geocacheing, camping and hiking together. Charlie & Karen's two children, Heidi (Randy) Fisher (Kennewick), and Russel (Cheryl) Cole (West Richland) grew up knowing Harlan as a special uncle. Their grandchildren by Heidi & Randy, Zach (15) & Kayla (12) also loved Harlan, and the adventures they shared with him.

Although he received many awards and much recognition for his professional work, Harlan did not talk much about those things. What he did talk about was teaching. Harlan was a patient and tireless teacher. He mentored many students in junior and senior high gifted student programs in mathematics and sciences. He mentored many junior staff through his years at Battelle. He led Girl Scouts on geocacheing expeditions, and through great adventures in science. And hundreds of students who went through Hawthorne Elementary (Kennewick) where his sister-in-law taught, will remember his mesmerizing science demonstrations. He was in his element with these eager young minds, and joined in their joy and wonder at the "magic" of science, when he came to see them as "PowerMan".

There were two accomplishments from which he said he received his greatest satisfaction. One was supporting Lynn-Marie from beginning to end (in every possible way) as she finally was able to pursue her life-long dream of returning to school and eventually undertaking the practice of medicine. He said that he did not have the gift of helping people directly in their healing processes. But he saw his ongoing support of her as his way of touching the lives she touches, and therefore being a contributor "behind the scenes" to benefitting them. The second was his very special relationship with Lexor Adams, whom Harlan mentored for the last four years of his life. In Lexor Harlan saw much of himself as a boy, and he was therefore able to provide Lexor with a special kind of understanding and teaching.

Harlan was pre-deceased by his parents, his brother, Tom Foote, nephew Dustin Foote, and father-in-law, Merrel "Mick" Hatcher.

To learn more about the incredible blessing that Harlan was in so many lives, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/harlanfoote We invite you to read through the "my story" section, then the journal of his last month of life, and the loving words posted in the guest book.

Harlan’s family wishes to thank the incredible host of people who have been so good and supportive to them throughout this final journey. It would take a full column of print to list them all – but you know who you are. Blessings of peace to each of you. We cannot leave unmentioned Betty Adams, who has been like a sister and 'personal assistant' to Lynn-Marie, and Rik Littlefield who has quietly come and gone performing so many chores, in addition to accepting the role of becoming Lexor’s new mentor.

All friends, colleagues, acquaintances, students and anyone else who was touched by Harlan in this world are sincerely invited to join together for "The Virtual Weaving of the Tapestry of the Earthly Life of Harlan Foote" - a very special gathering of thanksgiving and celebration that will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at 2 p.m., at The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, 1515 GWWay, Richland. (Call 946-4121 for directions.)

Harlan’s ashes will be scattered at a later date by some of his mountain biking friends, lead by Charlie Cole, at various sites of his favorite rides over the past many years, and by Charlie’s family at a geocache site on White Pass.

PLEASE we ask that you respect Harlan's wishes that no flowers or plants be sent for the gathering or to his family. If you wish to honor his memory, please make a donation to the Harlan P. Foote Memorial Scholarship for Creative Students of Mathematics and Physics c/o Washington State University Foundation, 2710 University Drive, Richland WA 99354.

Cards and letters may be brought to the gathering, or mailed to Lynn-Marie Peashka, 333 Scot St, Richland, WA 99354. They will be scanned and shared electronically with all family members.

St Francis of Assisi wrote:
Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek
To be consoled . . . as to console
To be understood . . . as to understand,
To be loved . . . as to love.
For it is in giving, that we receive,
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned,
It is in dying, that we are born to eternal life.

Harlan's life on earth was in concurrence with these words.