Colin Malcolm Foden

Deeply loved and widely respected, Colin Malcolm Foden passed away peacefully at home in Port Townsend, Washington on April 9, 2026, due to complex health issues stemming from a lifelong heart condition. Born on May 26,1948 in Prestbury England, he was the son of Arthur Frederick and Vivian Armitage Foden. He was proud of and sentimental about his homeland roots and kept his English citizenship throughout living in the United States for fifty years. Colin’s life was defined by integrity, curiosity, humor, community service, and love of family and friends.

Growing up, Colin loved playing soccer and cricket. He excelled and by age nine was on a soccer team with boys two and three years older. Colin claimed that poor eyesight boosted his ability, forcing him to focus through listening on the field and to develop swift sharp reactions as the ball would suddenly appear seemingly out of nowhere. He played semi-professional soccer in New Zealand in his twenties and recreational play into his forties until health concerns required him to stop. Colin believed in the power of “the beautiful game” — that soccer belonged to the whole world, connecting people of different cultures andgiving countless children the chance to play, grow, and belong. He regularly coached the Port Townsend High School girls team, organized young children’s teams, and led soccer workshops into his sixties, fostering teamwork, confidence, and joy in the game.

At nineteen, Colin went to work at IBM where he quickly advanced. He moved to New Zealand in his early twenties and continued to work in computer technology and support services. In 1977 he immigrated to California and earned an MBA at Pepperdine University, and became a 2nd vice president at Pacific Mutual in Newport Beach. Colin moved to Port Townsend with his young daughter, Claire, and her mother in 1992 where a year later they welcomed a second daughter, Madelaine. Settling into the Port Townsend community, Colin worked as a business consultant, general manager, community college business teacher, and high school girls soccer coach. Eventually, he accepted the position of Financial Director at Centrum performing arts and education center, which he thoroughly enjoyed for over twelve years.

Colin was passionate about and engaged in many volunteer positions. He helped create and became board president for the fund raising organization Save Our Sports. He served as president of the Port Townsend Food Co-op board and chairperson for the United Way campaign. He mentored young readers and chess players and had a wonderful time being a performance reader of Harry Potter books at the public library. Children were naturally drawn to Colin’s gentleness, attentiveness, and playful spirit. He loved spending time with young people and had a special gift for making children feel valued and encouraged.

Colin’s natural tendency toward leadership often carried him into challenging and unexpected roles, and he approached every endeavor with determination, intelligence, and integrity. Colin’s intuitive nature, responsiveness, and quick wit made others relax around himand sharetheir thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

These qualities were clearly exhibited in 2007 when Colin, together with attorney Sherry Jones, began laying the earliest groundwork for what would become KPTZ community radio of Port Townsend. After a spontaneous street corner conversation, the two met weekly to work on understanding necessary regulations and begin developing an organizational base for their co- founders and all who followed to build KPTZ into the vibrant community institution it is today. Colin served as president of the KPTZ board for many years. He also produced and hosted a weekly show, Port Townsend Goes to the Opera, which is accessible in the KPTZ archives. The years he spent with the KPTZ community were especially rewarding to him.

Reflective by nature, Colin spent a lot of time studying his varied interests, especially in the humanities. He traveled extensively in Europe and took road and bike trips whenever possible. A multi-talented artist, he was often found drawing, painting, writing poetry, singing, or playing classical, rock, and folk guitar. He loved British comedy and drama, and was an enthusiastic Beatles fan, having grown up near Liverpool during the height of Beatlemania. He was also inspired by opera. His greatest joy was his two lovely daughters, Claire and Madelaine. They were truly the light of his life, and he loved them with boundless devotion and pride.

Over many years, Colin faced multiple surgeries and therapies with remarkable resilience, grace, and gratitude for those caring for him. Our family is deeply grateful for the years of care Colin received from extraordinarily skilled and compassionate medical practitioners,and for the expertise of the Jefferson Health hospice team who guided us through his final days. Colin will be remembered as a conscientious, intelligent, thoroughly kind man who made the most of an imperfect life, who met adversity with courage and an unfailing sense of humor, and who enriched the lives of many through his community contributions and steadfast character.

He is survived by his cherished wife and life partner of twenty years, Colleen Harris; his two beloved daughters, Madelaine Moreland (Drew) and Claire Sarff-Foden; his loving sister, Pamela Scott (Bryan); his treasured grandson, Grayson Morland; and dear extended family in England. A memorial service will be held June 20, 2026, at 2:00 pm at Quimper Unitarian Universalist Church in Port Townsend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to KPTZ radio, Jefferson Health Hospice, or the PSO Bluebills in Colin’s honor.

Family and friends are invited to share memories of Colin and sign the online guestbook.