Edward Douglas Foulke, age 93, beloved husband of the late Ramona Cornell Foulke, passed away peacefully on May 22, 2018 in Naples, Florida with his two daughters and his three grandchildren at his side.
Edward was born on March 21, 1925 in Webster Groves, Missouri, to Ronald Edward Foulke and Mabel Lacy Foulke. He was raised along with his sister Jocelyn in Aurora, Illinois. In the fall of 1941, he enrolled as a student at Principia College. In 1943, he left college to begin active duty with the 99th Infantry Division of the US Army during World War II. He returned home in 1946 and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained during his service.
After the War, Edward returned to Principia College, where he completed his BA in Economics and Business Administration. It was there that he met his future wife, Ramona Cornell, whom he married in 1950. The couple then moved to Cambridge, Massachusetts, where Edward earned his MBA from Harvard University in 1951. The family then returned to the Chicagoland area, where Edward led a career in investment management. In 1966, he became one of the first formal candidates to pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exams. Edward and Ramona raised three children in Wilmette, Illinois: Caroline, Douglas, and Katherine. In 1982, the family set roots in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, on the banks of Lake Geneva. There, the "Foulke cottage" remains as a welcoming and warm gathering place for family and friends.
Edward and Ramona moved to Naples, Florida in 1990, where Edward helped form the Founders National Bank & Trust. At that time, he became an active member of the Forum Club of SW Florida as well as the Naples Council on World Affairs, where he served on the board. A lifelong and passionate classical music enthusiast, he was also a member of the Leadership Circle of the Naples Philharmonic, where he was a regular attendee, and he enjoyed his last concert there on May 3, 2018. Edward served on numerous social and political boards throughout his long life. With a rich family history and a sincere presence of spiritual grace, Edward will be remembered for his kind and generous devotion to his community. His sharp and curious mind left indelible impressions on everyone who had the pleasure to know him.
Edward is survived by his two loving daughters, Caroline Foulke Wettersten and Katherine Cornell Foulke, and his three devoted grandchildren, Amy Elizabeth Wettersten, Bradley Reid Wettersten, and Charles Douglas Wettersten, who now reside in Chicago. He is also survived by his great grandson, Devin Bradley. He was predeceased by his wife Ramona and his beloved son, Douglas Edward Foulke.
A Memorial Service celebrating Edward's life will be held on June 23, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Vi at Bentley Village, 850 Retreat Drive, Naples in the Palmetto Room located in the East Club House.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Naples Philharmonic, 833 Pelican Bay Boulevard, Naples, FL 34108.