Support Rob "Gunny" Fouts

Comments from Bert Kinzey with Pictures from Chip Kinzey

Highty-Tighty alumni and friends,   At homecoming, we came together for many reasons, but one of the most important was to show support for a fellow Highty-Tighty alumnus, Rob Fouts, known affectionately as "Gunny" by all of his friends.  Rob is a Highty-Tighty of the Class of 1989, and he has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.  There is no cure for this terrible disease, and it always proves to be terminal.  Gunny has already gone on disability, because the disease has begun to show its effects.   At the August meeting of our board of directors, I brought up the need to support Gunny, and plans were made to do just that at homecoming.  It was certain that this would be the final time that Rob would be able to participate with us.  With him no longer able to play his trumpet, I offered him the honor of carrying the guidon or the banner.  Rob elected to carry the banner with his two children, Jacob and Savannah.  The Highty-Tighty Alumni, Inc. Board of Directors also voted to issue a proclamation in support of Gunny, and that included a number of commitments on our part.  An item to allow an alumnus to speak on Gunny's behalf was added to the agenda for the annual general meeting at homecoming.  Rob chose Scott Leonard, HT '90, to speak for him at the meeting. The alumni party following band practice on Friday night was reinstated and was named "Gunny Fest."  Notices about the website where people can go to make donations in support of the Fouts family would be made in a Half-Note and the Highty-Tighty Notes newsletter to make as many Highty-Tighty alumni as possible aware of Gunny's situation.  Finally, we agreed to put information and a link to Rob's website on the Highty-Tighty Alumni, Inc. website.  This will be done shortly.   The website supporting Rob is now up and running, and you can go there at www.RobFouts.com.  Please note the donate button on the upper right side.  I encourage every Highty-Tighty alumnus to go there and make a donation if you possibly can.  Rob and his family are in for a long ordeal with considerable expenses to meet.  Let's help him all we can.  Please know that the money is transferred through a secure website using paypal.  On the site, you will see a piece written by Gunny about his experience at homecoming.  If you prefer to send a check, you can do that instead.  Please make it out to the trust fund which is called "Fouts Family Irrev. Trust."  The checks should be mailed to:    Robert Lowerre 5020 Topping Lane Glen Allen, VA 23060            C/O: Fouts Family Irrv. Trust.   Robert Lowerre is handling the checks on Rob's behalf and is the trustee for the fund.  He is also a Highty-Tighty alumnus from the Class of 1989.   I've included several photos taken of Gunny at homecoming with this e-mail.  They were all taken by Chip Kinzey.   Gunny, we love you! Bert Kinzey,  HT '68 President, Highty-Tighty Alumni, Inc.   1-Gunny and his children, Jacob and Savannah, pose with the banner before the parade.   2:  Rob and his children head down Main Street carrying the banner.   3:  Coming down the Mall, Rob, Savannah, and Jacob lead more than 140 Highty-Tighty alumni in what was the largest HTAB in history 4:  They posed in front of the band for the annual shot in front of Burruss Hall   5:  Scott Leonard, HT '90, speaks on Gunny's behalf at the annual general meeting and banquet following the game.   6:  Highty-Tighties past and present offer love and support to Rob and his wife, Laurie, following Scott's presentation