Holmes Foster

Holmes Foster
Des Moines

Holmes Foster, who died on August 12, 2009, in Des Moines at the age of 82, lived the Iowa version of "It's a Wonderful Life."
During his lengthy career in banking, like George Bailey in the legendary holiday motion picture, Holmes won the affection of his community as he rose to the top of his industry.
He helped those he could with his time, his money and his energy while never expecting praise in return. And, in his quiet way he often got others to give their time, their money and their energy to the good works he believed in.
Holmes never retired -- until recent weeks he continued to have time for all as he kept regular company with bankers and barbers, owners and employees, and governors and the governed. Moreover, while living a life of service, Holmes always kept his love for his wife Marge first.
Holmes Foster was born in Ottumwa, Iowa, on March 5, 1927, the son of Aubrey and Elizabeth Foster. His mother died when he was seven. He was raised in the Depression on a farm his father rented in Jefferson County. Holmes attended schools in Libertyville and Fairfield, Iowa, and served in the United States Army during the Korean War.
He graduated in 1948 from Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. The college named him a distinguished alumni in 1988.
Holmes and Marjorie A. Duggleby were married in Mason City, Iowa on September 27, 1958. They lived the next 51 years together in Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and finally in Clive. During his career in private business and public service, Holmes accomplished much. He served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Banks of Iowa, Inc., a publicly traded, multi-bank holding company for 20 years. He continued to serve Iowa banks and businesses as a board member, as a consultant with CMA Bank Advisors and as a trusted advisor to many executives. Holmes was a public servant as well. He first served in the Iowa Department of Banking as an examiner and Deputy Superintendent of Banking. Then, when asked by his longtime friend Governor Thomas Vilsack to return to the public sector, Holmes served as Superintendent of Banking, State of Iowa from 1999 to 2002.
Holmes also served in various other regulatory and governmental positions, including, Vice President of Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, Member of Revenue Estimating Committee of the State of Iowa, Director of Department of Commerce of the State of Iowa and co-chair of the Governor's Iowa Privacy Task Force. He also was the first chair of the Iowa Values Fund, a landmark state program that helped create industry and jobs throughout Iowa.
In 2003, when central Iowa homeowners were rocked by a lending crisis involving the Wolford Group, Holmes stepped forward to serve as the court-appointed receiver. He worked closely with Attorney General Tom Miller to protect the homeowners victimized by predatory lending practices and did so without pay.
Holmes was active in many civic associations and boards. Among his activities, he served as a member of the State Historical Society of Iowa Legacy Board, as Chair Emeritus of the Iowa Able Foundation, as Trustee of Iowa Wesleyan College and as a fundraiser for the John R. Grubb YMCA. In July 2006, Holmes was awarded the National Governors Association Award for Distinguished Service to State Government.
In nominating Holmes, Governor Vilsack wrote, "He is a man of uncompromising integrity, deep humility, financial genius and an unparalleled commitment to serve others." The Governor also noted, "His many contributions have touched the lives of countless Iowans who may never even know his name."
At that time, Mary Welsh, then the development director for the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, noted that Holmes "has a strong sense of values and a willingness to live those values, regardless of the consequences." Welsh continued,
"Lots of bankers are charitable, but they don't see taking care of the needs of other people as the responsibility of a bank. Holmes does. . . . When the going gets tough with us, lots of people go the other way. Not Holmes. He has no ego, so he is driven only by his strong moral character."
Those who knew Holmes best would admit only Marge knew him fully. Some of his longtime business friends admit they never saw him without a coat and tie. As Governor Vilsack once remarked, "He's a man who never leaves the house wearing anything but a business suit."Holmes was a strong supporter of partisan politics and his lifelong support of the Democratic Party is widely known. Yet many a Republican would admit that Holmes always was willing to provide valued business or career advice, along with an occasional pitch for political redemption. In 2008, the Iowa Democratic Party honored Holmes by inducting him into its hall of fame.
Along with his wife Marge, his brothers-in-law Donald Duggleby, of Tucson and Richard (Grace) Duggleby of Muscatine, a niece, Leslie (Brad) Soule of Muscatine, a nephew, John (Judy) Duggleby of McFarland, Wisconsin, and three great-nieces survive Holmes.
Holmes never passed an opportunity to say thank you to those he helped as well as those who helped him. He and Marge especially appreciated the support of his doctors and caregivers during his recent illness, most notably those at Iowa Methodist Hospital, Hospice of Central Iowa and The Kavanagh House.
A publice rememberance of the life and contributions of Holmes will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, August 20, 2009, at Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Holmes and Marjorie A. Foster Scholarship Fund at Iowa Wesleyan College in Mount Pleasant, Iowa or to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines, Iowa.