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David Folger
In Memory of
David Winslow
Folger
1931 - 2017
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Obituary for David Winslow Folger

David Winslow  Folger
David Winslow Folger died on April 1st of pancreatic cancer, at home in Falmouth, Massachusetts, surrounded by his family.

Dave was born in 1931 in Woburn, Massachusetts, son of Joseph Butler Folger, Jr. and Marion Allen Folger, predeceased by his brother Edward Allen Folger. He graduated in 1953 from Dartmouth College with a BA in geology, served in the Navy 1953-1956 on active duty as a bombardier/navigator, and subsequently in the reserves, retiring in 1977 as a USNR captain.

Dave worked for Chevron based in Mississippi 1958-1963 before earning his PhD in marine geology from Columbia University in 1968. Following a post-doctoral appointment with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOI) and US Geological Survey (USGS) in Woods Hole, MA, he left to teach at Middlebury College, VT. There, he pioneered the marine component of the geology program and procured the college’s first research vessel — a Coast Guard rescue surfboat — which his students initially helped to sand, paint and outfit for years of “sea-worthy” work on Lake Champlain.

In1975 he became head of the Atlantic Marine Geology Branch of USGS’ Environmental Studies Program in Woods Hole. During the next 22 years, Dave served as Head of Environmental Studies, Branch Chief, and Coordinator for projects that included a hydrogen bomb effects study on the Enewetak Atoll, a marine gravity survey of the Caribbean, Cape Verde & Canary Islands and western African coast, and the Southern Lake Michigan Coastal Erosion Study and Regional Great Lakes Mapping Project, before retiring in 1997. Dave authored, co-authored or edited over 130 publications and abstracts, and lectured across the US and internationally. In 2012 he was honored by Middlebury College, which named its new research vessel the R.V. David Folger.
A direct descendant of Nantucket whalers, Dave spent summers on the island during his youth, where he cultivated a love for kayaking, sailing, fishing and body surfing. A perennial athlete, his many endeavors included eight swims from Woods Hole to Martha’s Vineyard, and an 11-miler from the Vineyard to Nantucket. He was first in the family to take up roller-blading, acquire a recumbent bike, and the oldest to get a motorcycle license. When he wasn’t engaged in his daily regime of yoga, biking, swimming or rowing, he could be found playing his guitar, or using his Yankee ingenuity to construct all kinds of useful gadgets, build boats, or squirrel-proof the many bird feeders in his backyard.

He loomed large in the lives of his family, friends and colleagues. As one friend wrote: “He always stopped to talk, never too much in a hurry to say hi. A kind and gentle person, so even tempered and accepting, such great insights, yet so innocently, inherently good. Just a good man and a good friend.” Dave imbued everyone with optimism, shared a terrific wit and sense of humor, and loved telling a good story. His laugh was robust and infectious.

Predeceased by his first wife, Joan Throckmorton Folger in 1980, Dave is survived by his wife, Janet Simons Folger, Joan’s sister Susan Throckmorton, five children spanning 37 years: Bret (22), Lian (24), John (54), Peter (56), and Sue (59); son-in-law Wayne Scott and daughters-in-law Joell Folger and Helen Whitney; four grandchildren Ben, Charlie, Nate and Sarah; two nieces and their children, cousins and other relatives.

There will be a celebration of Dave’s life at the end of June in Woods Hole, MA. Details will be provided at a later date.

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Gifts in memory of David may be made to Middlebury College for the RV David Folger Fund, to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ®, or HopeHealth Hospice.
The RV David Folger Fund was established in 2011 and supports the Middlebury College research vessel, the RV David Folger, and affiliated programs. Gifts may be sent in the form of checks to Middlebury College with a notation that the gift is in David’s memory or for the RV David Folger Fund, and mailed to Middlebury College, Office of Gift Administration, 700 Exchange Street, Middlebury, VT 05753. Alternatively, gifts may be made online by visiting Middlebury’s website using this address/link: http://www.middlebury.edu/giving/ways. Please be sure to note that the gift is for the RV David Folger Fund and complete the field indicating the gift is in Professor Folger’s memory.
Gifts to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ® can be made online at https://www.pancan.org/ (Honor/Memorial Donation), or by calling 877-272-6226, or by mail: Pancreatic Cancer Action Network ®,1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Mention in Honor of David Folger.
Gifts to HopeHealth Hospice can be made online at http://hopehealthma.org/donate, or by calling their philanthropy department at (508) 957-0255, or by mail to HopeHealth, 765 Attucks Lane, Hyannis, MA 02601, making checks payable to Hope Hospice or to HopeHealth. Mention in Honor of David Folger.
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