Dr. Harley Wayne Foutch, age 72, of Murfreesboro, TN, passed away May 9, 2017. Dr. Foutch was born in Woodlawn, IL in 1944. He was the son of the late Cleo and Marie Dobbs Foutch. He married Linda Rowland on July 25, 1970 in Christopher, IL.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda of 46 years; daughters, Michelle Rowe and her husband Scott of Signal Mountain, TN and Robin Anderson and her husband Ryan of Milton, TN; six grandchildren, Caleb, Emalee Grace, and Joshua Rowe and Ashlyn Harley, Katie Ryan and Brady Wilson Anderson; and three sisters, Mary Alice Fox of West Frankfort, IL, Shirley Corder and her husband Briggs of Jacksonville, NC, and Fern Eubank of Smyrna, TN; and a brother, Tony Foutch and his wife Peggy of Woodlawn, IL, along with many nieces and nephews.

Dr. Foutch began his teaching career at Middle Tennessee State University in 1970. He was named Chairman of the Department of Agriculture in 1980 and retired as Director of the School of Agribusiness and Agriscience in 2008. He received his B.S. and M.S. degrees from Southern Illinois University and his Ph.D. in Agronomy from Auburn University.

Dr. Foutch was a two time recipient of the MTSU Outstanding Teacher Award. He received the Distinguished Educator Award from the North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA). He was named President of the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources (AASCARR) and President of NACTA.

Dr. Foutch was a member of North Boulevard Church of Christ. He loved the outdoors and always had a beautiful "weed free" garden. He was a kind hearted, fun loving man who loved time spent with family. Very respected for his scholarly and career achievements, he will always be remembered by family and friends for his humor and contagious laugh.

Visitation will be Saturday, May 13, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Woodfin Memorial Chapel in Murfreesboro, TN. Funeral Services will be at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, 2017 at Woodfin Memorial Chapel with Teb Batey officiating.

Memorials may be made in honor of Dr. Foutch to the Dr. Harley W. Foutch Endowed Scholarship Fund at Middle Tennessee State University Foundation, P.O. Box 109 Murfreesboro, TN 37132.