George Foott - Salida, Colorado
I just learned today that George Foott passed away after a brave fight with cancer three days ago.
George was a dear friend, incredible western genre painter, amateur historian, antique collector but more than anything he was a wonderful dependable kayaker. He was always available for a run down the waters of the Ark. Most of the boating community will know George, Jerry and WD as being the three guys that would be available for the beginner and intermediate boaters. They led many trips through Numbers, Fractions and Browns. They dug a lot of boaters out of that water as the “pups” were learning.
We hung together a lot. Our goals were around boating “all the time” forty days/summer and into the winter. We embraced the winter open waters punctuating with an annual New Years float in Salida. Everyone had to roll through the frigid water.
I learned to boat along side George. We spent hundreds of winter hours in the Salida Hot Springs Pool. On Sunday mornings we would finish with a breakfast at the Patio Pancake and tell tall boating stories. Those stories ranged from past trips to boat design, to boating personalities. I’m pleased that my last conversation with George two weeks ago soon turned to that familiar topic. He so loved kayaking. (He gutted Skull Rapid, straight on, sort of legendary!)
Finally, I just remembered that George and WD were so supportive and helpful teaching my son Micah to learn how to kayak. Micah took it up in the 6th grade. It was a tough sport for any father to teach and those guys took Micah under their wing and let him go. Micah is still boating and George never failed to ask how he was doing.
I will miss George Foott. He was a dependable boating friend that we counted on for many years. I know that many of you will remember him.
Thom. Schnellinger,
Craig, Colorado
I just learned today that George Foott passed away after a brave fight with cancer three days ago.
George was a dear friend, incredible western genre painter, amateur historian, antique collector but more than anything he was a wonderful dependable kayaker. He was always available for a run down the waters of the Ark. Most of the boating community will know George, Jerry and WD as being the three guys that would be available for the beginner and intermediate boaters. They led many trips through Numbers, Fractions and Browns. They dug a lot of boaters out of that water as the “pups” were learning.
We hung together a lot. Our goals were around boating “all the time” forty days/summer and into the winter. We embraced the winter open waters punctuating with an annual New Years float in Salida. Everyone had to roll through the frigid water.
I learned to boat along side George. We spent hundreds of winter hours in the Salida Hot Springs Pool. On Sunday mornings we would finish with a breakfast at the Patio Pancake and tell tall boating stories. Those stories ranged from past trips to boat design, to boating personalities. I’m pleased that my last conversation with George two weeks ago soon turned to that familiar topic. He so loved kayaking. (He gutted Skull Rapid, straight on, sort of legendary!)
Finally, I just remembered that George and WD were so supportive and helpful teaching my son Micah to learn how to kayak. Micah took it up in the 6th grade. It was a tough sport for any father to teach and those guys took Micah under their wing and let him go. Micah is still boating and George never failed to ask how he was doing.
I will miss George Foott. He was a dependable boating friend that we counted on for many years. I know that many of you will remember him.
Thom. Schnellinger,
Craig, Colorado
