Leonard John Foote passed away at age 87 just past midnight on October 22, 2026, at Cottage Hospital in Woodsville, NH, after an initially slow, then precipitous decline. He spent the previous day entertaining family and friends with his vivid memories of adventures abroad. Despite his frailty, his passing only hours later was painfully unexpected.

Leonard was born in Panama’s Canal Zone on January 31, 1939. While a toddler, he and his family moved to Palo Alto, California, where he spent his youth. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a master’s degree from UCLA in Anthropology/Archaeology, teaching, publishing West Mexican and Peruvian research, and advancing to doctoral candidacy. He moved east to continue his career at Queens College, SUNY. Feeling a deep need for healing nature, he found his way to a magical wilderness hut in East Burke, VT, which he purchased. With vision, passion, and a chainsaw, he expanded the hut into a nurturing soul retreat alongside Flower Brook, where his 45 years of sobriety began.

Leonard transitioned from post-secondary academia to a decades-long second career with Freedom from Chemical Dependency (FCD), inspiring youth in top schools in the USA and American International Schools around the globe. His singular ability to keep students engaged through stories from his personal experience and to facilitate safe, trusting dialog between children and parents was recognized by all. Former students from a generation past sought him out to acknowledge the impact he had on their lives.

Leonard will also be remembered for his commitment to deep ecology and his ability to form friendships throughout his life. He attracted good people wherever he went, including his compassionate doctor who phoned early each day during Leonard’s decline in hospital.

Underlying Leonard’s many facets was his poetry, bits of which emerged almost daily throughout his life. With loving prodding and technical assistance from a friend, he published Journeys: Along the Way, Countless poetry fragments remain.

Leonard leaves behind his wife, Kathleen, beloved friend and inseparable companion of 25 years, his younger sister Katherine Foote, two sons, Leonard Foote (Denine) and Eric Foote, three grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, stepson Christopher Fitzpatrick (Raelyn), a niece, two nephews and their children, sister-in-law Elaine Rogers, as well as many much-loved friends

Winter solstice being especially meaningful to Leonard and Kathleen, an online memorial service will be held December 21, 2026.