Larry R. Foulke's Obituary
Larry R. Foulke
Apr 24, 1937 – Oct 26,2022
Teacher and Scientist
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” (Dr. Seuss)
Larry Foulke enjoyed life and made the most of it. Born in Pratt, Kansas, he received his BS and MS in Nuclear Engineering, at Kansas State University, and his PhD in Nuclear Engineering at MIT in 1967. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Oslo and Institute for Atomenergi, in Kieller, Norway, in 1961-62.
Foulke had a 40 year career in nuclear technology, first in the U.S. Army Reactors Group, Nuclear Power Field Office, Ft. Belvoir, VA. He was honorably discharge as Captain, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1968. He served in various management positions at the Bettis Laboratory in West Mifflin, PA, and Westinghouse Electric Corporation until his retirement in 2006.
He was passionate about his teaching of nuclear engineering at the Bettis Reactor Engineering School from 1969 to 1972, and as an adjunct at Penn State University from 1984 to 1988, and the University of Pittsburgh from his retirement from his career in 2006. He designed, developed and delivered the nuclear programs at Pitt as Director of Nuclear Programs beginning in 2006 and ending in 2015. While at Pitt, he created and delivered a Massively Open Online Course entitled “A Look at Nuclear Science and Technology’ which reached over 30,000 students from 179 countries.
He was employed as a part-time Technical Judge for NRC’s Atomic Safety and Licensing Board and a consultant to CRDF Global in the creation of the International Nuclear Education Consortium. He was a Fellow of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and a member of the Engineering Hall of Fame, Kansas State University. He served his community as President of the Pleasant Hills Library Board of Directors and for his service, he was named Library Trustee of the Year 2000 by the Allegheny County Library Association.
Foulke was active in his profession not only as a contributor but as a member American Nuclear Society (ANS) since 1966. He served as President of the ANS in 2003 – 2004. He served on various advisory boards for university nuclear programs and was the 2016 recipient of the Robert L. Long Training Excellence Award. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, in the State of Pennsylvania. He was also passionate about international travel while representing Westinghouse and the American Nuclear Society.
He is survived by his wife, Janice, and three children, Andrew Lan and Rikke Ralaine of Pittsburgh, and Larra Lisa Omenetto of Lexington, MA. and five grandchildren.
As a member of the Armed Forces, he will be cremated and interred at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Bridgeville, PA.
Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 5, 2022 from 12 to 4 pm at the Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home, Inc., 301 Curry Hollow Road, Pleasant Hills. A Memorial Service will follow at 4 pm in the Funeral Home's Chapel.
Online condolences may be shared at www.jeffersonmemorial.com
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