Duncan Footman

Duncan Footman

Aug. 17, 1941 - April 8, 2024.

ST. HELENA - Duncan Adrian Girard Footman passed away peacefully in his home at 83 years of age on April 8, 2024.

He was born August 17, 1941, in Putnam, Connecticut to Robert Henry Footman and Ella Von Boetticher. His father was a college professor and advertising executive for Mastercard. Duncan grew up in Berkeley, CA, and he was president of his high school class at Lincoln High in San Francisco. He hit a turning point while attending Yale when he spent his Junior year in Madrid, learning Spanish and studying literature and art. He graduated from Yale as his father had done and attended the University of Chicago Law School. He spent three years in the Peace Corps in Venezuela developing his acuity in Spanish language and honing his basketball skills on local courts.

Duncan then went back to Chicago and stayed there for three years, working as a lawyer for Legal Aid. When his friend, Robert Nichols, said to him, "I guess we got you here for good" that's when he decided to recapture California and found work at the Legal Aid outpost in Napa in 1972. A few years later he went private in a two-man office in St. Helena with David Cunningham. After that, he became a partner with Coombs and Dunlap. He was a talented trial attorney, creative, relatable, and concerned about his client's outcomes.

While working as an attorney in Napa, he met the love of his life, Ana Vigil, who was working as a social worker for the Information Center in St. Helena. They saw each other again when Ana became the proprietor of Ana's Cantina in St. Helena. Ana was his devoted wife and a supportive companion. They traveled often together, especially to Greece and El Salvador. Duncan joyfully immersed himself in Hispanic culture.

Duncan was adventurous and with his good friend, Guy Sandler, he went on weeklong bicycle trips. Riding up to 100 miles a day. Guy's sons Ben and Nick loved Duncan as an uncle, and as they grew older they accompanied Duncan on bicycle excursions. Duncan was widely read, devouring Don Quixote in the original Spanish and pursuing interests in literature, history, and politics. Having been a youthful trombonist he appreciated music extending from classical composers to the gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt.

Duncan was a father to Ana's children, Roxana Rallis, Michael Rallis, Catalina Gonzalez, and Vanessa Gonzalez, and they loved him back in the same way. That allowed Duncan to be a grandfather to Timothy, Randee, Kaya, Bella, Lucy, Izaiah, and Judah and a great-grandfather to Jonathan, and Leon. The highlight of his days was to have the whole family gathered to savor Ana's mealtime cooking and regale them with tales of his adventures. Despite his ailments requiring his wife Ana's near-constant attendance, Duncan retained his engaging, positive demeanor until his earthly departure which occurred peacefully during an extended nap.

He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. Duncan is survived by his wonderful wife, Ana; and his children: Louisa Footman, who lives in Baltimore with her husband and son, Alex Footman, who lives in Berlin with his wife and daughter, Roxana Rallis; Michael Rallis, Catalina Gonzalez, Vanessa Gonzalez; and his grandchildren: Timothy, Randee, Kaya, Bella, Lucy, Izaiah, and Judah; and a great-grandchildren: Jonathan, and Leon; brother, Courtney Footman; nephew, David Vigil. He was preceded in death by his twin sister, Farell Footman, who passed away on June 29, 2023.