Passings: Doug Fols

October 18, 2010

Retired SF employee Douglas (Doug) Louis Fols, 76, died Friday, Oct. 15 in Gainesville.

Doug served the college for more than 30 years, in a variety of capacities. He began his full-time appointment Jan. 5, 1972 as a counselor/instructor. When he retired June 30, 2003, he was a professor in Work Exploration and Coordinator of the Disabilities Resource Center.

“He was dedicated to the students and to the people he served,” said Portia Taylor, Vice President, Student Affairs. 

“When he came up to tell me he was retiring, he brought me a gift – three soap stone elephants – and I said, ‘Doug, that's not the way the world works – you're the one retiring.' And he said, ‘Portia, that's the way our world works.'

“He was just a wonderful person and he'll be missed by a whole lot of people,” Portia said.

Guy York, Vice President for College Services, shared similarly fond memories. Doug was here when Guy first started at Santa Fe and the two became friends.

“He worked in Student Affairs for most of his career,” Guy said. “He was one of the best student advocates I have ever known, especially for students with disabilities. He had a lot of friends on this campus. He was a private person, he did not talk about himself, but he was very well liked by everyone.”

Doug earned his B.A. from Rutgers University, his M.A. from Ohio University and his Ph.D. from the Union Institute.

Our Santa Fe family sends its condolences to Doug's family and friends; he will be missed. We will share more information about his memorial service as it becomes available.