Foster Wilfred Dunwiddie Age 97, of Rice Lake, WI, died Sunday, December 11, 2022 in Rice Lake.

Foster was born on January 29, 1925 in Fox Lake, WI to Walter and Ina (Edgerton) Dunwiddie, and grew up in Port Washington, WI.

After graduating from Port Washington High School he became a private first class in the US Army, 1943-1946, European Theatre of Operations. He earned a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, University of Wisconsin, 1948; Bachelor of Architecture, University of Minnesota, 1951; and Master of Architecture, University of Minnesota, 1979. He married Shirley Geilfuss on May 26, 1947 in the Chapel of the First Congregational Church in Madison, WI. They settled in St. Paul, MN. Two moves and three children later, the family moved to a home in the Edina, MN historic Country Club District where they lived for over 30 years. Foster was a warm and caring man. Devoted to his family, he always made time for Shirley and the kids. Seemingly infinitely patient at times. Meticulous in all that he did, Foster was born “measuring twice.” Generous with his time and talents and never without a keen sense of humor. Foster was passionate about preserving our natural and architectural heritage and devoted a large part of his career to furthering those pursuits. His modesty belied his many accomplishments. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him. Foster was the last living founder of the architectural firm Miller Dunwiddie Architects (originally Miller-Whitehead-Dunwiddie-Architects), in Bloomington, MN. His career spanned a wide range – from baseball stadiums (Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington), to jet engine test cells at airports around the world, to painstaking historic preservation projects including Historic Fort Snelling and the Minnesota State Capitol. His interest in preservation prompted him to earn a master’s degree in architecture (Historic Preservation) at the University of Minnesota, where he then taught classes as a lecturer in architecture, 1979-1983; and an assistant professor, 1983-1989. His work earned him a fellowship in the American Institute of Architects. He was a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Association for Preservation Technology, Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Society American Institute of Architects. Foster and Shirley were passionate about genealogy and family history and traveled extensively to pursue genealogical research. An avid supporter of Minnesota sports teams, he was especially fond of the Minnesota Vikings and as a season ticket holder at the old Met, spent many a Fall (and wintry) Sunday afternoon with family and friends in the frigid left field grandstand. Foster and Shirley loved spending time at their lake home on Balsam Lake near Birchwood, WI and after retirement were able to live there full time. There, Foster indulged passions for fishing, woodworking, sailing and photography. He was a great lover of music, and, with Shirley, was a long-time member of the choir at Edina Community Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his 3 children, Carolyn (Gerald) Chasteen, William (Rebecca) Dunwiddie and Catherine (Thomas) Grilli, 6 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren and many nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; his parents; a brother, William; and a granddaughter, Amelia.

Private family services will be held with full military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, MN where he will rejoin his wife, Shirley, who passed away in 2019.

Appleyard’s Home for Funerals in Rice Lake is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorials to the Northwest Architectural Archives.

Last Update: Dec 30, 2022 9:26 am CST