Robert “Harper” Foley Obituary, BRENT, Ala. — Robert “Harper” Foley, 19, a University of Alabama student and longtime soccer player, has died following a brief illness. His death was unexpected, and further details about his illness have not been publicly disclosed.
Born May 18, 2007, in Kansas City, Kansas, Harper was the son of retired U.S. Army Brigadier General David Clifford Foley and Claire White Foley. Because of his father’s military career, Harper spent his childhood living in several states, including Kentucky, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington and Florida. Despite frequently moving, he developed meaningful friendships and adapted to each new community.
Brent, Alabama, held a particularly special place in Harper’s life. He spent cherished time there with his maternal grandparents, Judge James Mordecai White and Katherine Moseley White. Family gatherings, outdoor activities and time exploring nature helped create lasting memories that made Brent a place especially close to his heart.
Soccer was another constant throughout Harper’s life. He began playing the sport at age 3 and continued competing for various teams as he moved between communities. He graduated from Lansing High School in Kansas in 2025, where he was an active member of the Lansing Lions soccer team.
After high school, Harper enrolled at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, a school that carried special meaning for him because of his lifelong love for the Crimson Tide. During his time at the university, he became a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Beta Chapter, where he developed a strong sense of brotherhood and belonging. Friends, fraternity brothers and former teammates are among those mourning his death.
Harper is survived by his parents, David Clifford Foley and Claire White Foley, and his brothers, Franklin Price Foley and Alexander Gates Foley. He is also remembered by extended family members, including grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents and great-grandmother.
Funeral services for Harper will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Brent, Alabama. Visitation is scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Brent Baptist Church, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will take place at Brent City Cemetery. His brothers, relatives and close friends will serve as pallbearers, while his fraternity brothers and former teammates will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Although Harper’s life ended at 19, the relationships and memories he created across the many communities he called home remain part of his lasting legacy. His family, friends, teammates and fraternity brothers will remember him for the connections he formed and the experiences they shared with him. He will be laid to rest in Brent, a community that held a special place in his life, as those who knew and loved him continue to mourn his passing and honor his memory.
