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Gregory P. Foote

FUNERAL HOME

Flanner Buchanan - Broad Ripple

1305 Broad Ripple Avenue

Indianapolis, Indiana

Gregory Foote Obituary

Gregory P. Foote

89, died Oct. 5, at St. Vincent Hospital.

Mr. Foote was born Aug. 6, 1924, in Chicago, to Peter and Gertrude (Quinn) Foote. He had four older half-siblings and was the second of nine children born to Peter and Gertrude. Mr. Foote graduated from St. Ignatius High School, entered the novitiate of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at Milford, Ohio, and completed bachelor's and master's degrees from Loyola University, Chicago. He was ordained in 1955. He taught Latin and literature at several Jesuit schools and was a founding faculty member at Brebeuf Jesuit in Indianapolis. He also taught at Georgetown University's Institute for Language and Linguistics.

In 1967, he left the Jesuits and moved to Rockford, Ill, where he advocated for desegregation and the establishment of alternative programs in public schools. He was a founder of the Rockford Alternative Middle School and the Rockford Academy for high school students. Mr. Foote's students thrived on active, experiential learning, participating in archaeological research with Northwestern's Center for American Archeology and learning survival skills in the Florida everglades. He was named Illinois Teacher of the Year in 1979.

In 1983, Mr. Foote returned to Indianapolis and Brebeuf, where he taught until retiring in 1997.

He is survived by his former wife, Barbara, their sons, Daniel (Sylvia) and Matthew (Rebeca), two grandsons, Benicio and Manolo, four sisters (Mary Jane, Alice, Trudie, and Patricia), one brother (Bernard), a foster son from Illinois, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Mr. Foote's legacy lives in the love of poems and literature he instilled in others, his love for nature, and his passionate advocacy for the planet we share. He is unforgettable to the thousands of students to whom he was an inspiration.

Those who wish to remember him are invited to consider the Sycamore Land Trust, (sycamorelandtrust.org) 4898 E. Heritage Woods Rd., Bloomington, IN 47401, or a gift to their favorite charity.

A memorial will be held on Sat., Oct. 26, at 2:00 p.m., at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis, 615 W. 43rd Street. Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner and Bucha nan - Broad Ripple .

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Indianapolis Star from Oct. 13 to Oct. 20, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Foote

Sponsored by former student.

15 Entries

Hank Zunk Brebeuf `67

March 28, 2025

Veni, vidi, vici. Father Foote changed my life. A wonderful and brilliant man. He loved the underdog.

Brebeuf Student

October 25, 2018

I know it's been 5 years since Mr. Foote's passing. I was talking about my love of literature with someone tonight at dinner, and mentioned that I had the most amazing Lit professor at Brebeuf.

Ever the witty one, I can still remember to this day his elf shoes, as he stood on his desk reading literature BEFORE Dead Poet's Society was released.

An inspiration of a man, a devoted teacher that was a kind man. I had to have been his worst and most trouble making student ever, yet he treated me no less. He told me he expected more from me, and that I should expect more from myself.

His name will live long after most of us have joined him.

Cheers Mr Foote! You were a great one!!

Mark Baldwin

October 4, 2016

I just came across a letter that Greg Foote wrote me in January, 2013. It was about his encountering one of our Borealis Press greeting cards based on GM Hopkin's poem Pied Beauty. It was far more than flattering. It was a response from a stranger, reaching across space, about a shared experience that each of us had, and it was more than that. It was from a man who clearly knew about connections...

Luke Smith

June 7, 2015

Mr. Foote had been my homeroom teacher at Rockford Alternative Middle School in 1977, the same year I'd taken his "Archeology" course and visited the Koster site dig (I also babysat for his kids once or twice the following year). Like the previous poster, I came across his obituary accidentally while reminiscing about the trip to Kampsville, and was startled not only by the news of his family's loss, but also by the coincidence that he'd passed at St. Vincent's, just a mile from where I now live in Indianapolis. Stranger still, I'd applied for a job at Brebeuf in 2002, totally unaware of his connection to the school. He founded the Academy program at Auburn High as I started my freshman year there as well. I cannot overstate the influence his presence in my life has had and continues to have to this very day. Thank you, Mr. Foote -- I'll never forget you.

Andrew McAuliff

June 19, 2014

Brebeuf class of '66. I wish I had told Father Foote when he was alive that he was the best teacher a boy could ever have had in school. So many good memories from both Latin & Religion class. Two subjects I have yet to master! Thank you Father.

Cam von Wahlde

March 28, 2014

I knew Greg Foote since 1959, especially during 1959-62 at Milford Ohio. He was a real support in some troubled times!

Sharon Boyer

January 26, 2014

Dear Family and Friends of Fr. Foote,

I discovered Fr. Foote's obituary after I searched for his name on the internet today. I have somehow held on to my class list for the Latin Teacher Training Program offered at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. in the summer of 1964. (It came as a huge shock to learn that that was 50 years ago! Why is it so fresh in my memory? Perhaps because of the trauma instilled by having to SPEAK Latin (oh, those Jesuits!) in public in a class that consisted of priests, a brother or two, many nuns, and us three lay people! But what a marvelous experience it was! And Fr. Foote was such a wonderful, energetic example. I was not surprised to read in his obituary that he fulfilled all that brilliant promise he displayed in our class that summer--the force of it reached even to me, cowering in the back row. A disadvantage to sitting in the farthest row was that the grammatical sentences we were reciting aloud increased in difficulty (as you might imagine) and by the time they got to us they were so convoluted I doubt if I could have responded in English, much less in Latin! But I survived and am here to tell about it (what little I can remember 50 years later). I count myself blessed to have been in Fr. Foote's orbit, if only for a few weeks.

May God rest his beautiful soul.

Brebeuf Graduate

January 7, 2014

I went to Brebeuf and remember Mr. Foote returnng and had him for English class. He was very interesting and made it interesting even though English class was otherwise boring.

One thing, he talked about alot of very interesting things outside of English and usually, English classes were pretty bland otherwise.

Mike Hartnett

November 5, 2013

He was one of my teachers at St. Ignatius in Chicago in the early/mid 60's.

Without question, the best teacher I've ever had, and one of the finest human beings.

Abigail Caress , Stewardship Office

October 31, 2013

Brebeuf Jesuit sends our condolences to the family of our former teacher, Greg Foote. He is missed by so many alumni and faculty and staff! We would like to contact the family more directly if we can to share information as gifts in Mr. Foote's honor have been made to the financial aid fund in the school by various individuals who knew him well. If Barbara or their sons read this message, please contact Brebeuf at 317.524.7050 and ask for the Advancement Office. Everyone at Brebeuf sends you our best wishes, sympathy, and our enduring respect for Mr. Foote's many years of wonderful teaching.

Bren Marshall

October 25, 2013

A passion filled delightful being crossed my path one day and from then on enriched my life immeasurably. What can one say about such an open minded poetic man that does his life justice? He was a true lover of Nature and of all things that matter. He charmed with his unique way of being and encouraged many to think deeper about the realties of our lives. He was uniquely himself, exceptional yet ordinary. He lived simply yet carried the richness of a great mind and consciousness. He will be greatly missed and yet frequently found in the quiet and spirit filled places of life. To all those of us who were graced with his presence, may his passion live on through us & inspire us to enrich others lives as he so enriched ours. Farewell dear friend..I miss ya so..

John Anonymous

October 14, 2013

I rememer Mr. Foote at Brebeu, in my case, he was my Englis teacher. He definitely made his classes very interesting ! I remember his humor and the way he talked about the various subjects especially those that were taboo in our day.

One thing, I remember talking to him in the morning when we got in at the same time in the morning and talked about various things.

October 13, 2013

Barbara, Matt and Dan -- Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love, Bill and Susan Beranek

Edmond Talucci

October 13, 2013

Greg was my Latin teacher at Brebeuf. I admired him for his humor, animation, and dedication to guiding his students to become compassionate and involved adults. My condolences to his family.