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Robert “Harper” Foley Obituary: University of Alabama Student Dies at 19
The family of Robert “Harper” Foley is mourning the death of a beloved son, brother, grandson, cousin and University of Alabama student who died at the age of 19.
Harper Foley died on August 23, 2026, following a brief illness, according to his published obituary. He was born on May 18, 2007, in Kansas City, Kansas, and was a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Though his life was brief, Harper’s story was shaped by family, military service, soccer, travel, friendship and a deep connection to Alabama. His family remembered a young man who adapted to every new place he called home while maintaining strong relationships with the people around him.
Details & Current Information
| Detail | Current Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Robert Harper Foley |
| Known As | Harper Foley |
| Date of Birth | May 18, 2007 |
| Date of Death | August 23, 2026 |
| Age | 19 |
| Hometown/Birthplace | Kansas City, Kansas |
| Residence | Dallas, Texas |
| College | University of Alabama |
| Year at Alabama | Sophomore |
| Fraternity | Kappa Sigma |
| High School | Lansing High School |
| Graduation | 2025 |
| Primary Sport | Soccer |
| Cause of Death | Brief illness |
| Parents | David Clifford Foley and Claire White Foley |
| Siblings | Franklin Price Foley and Alexander Gates Foley |
| Visitation | August 29, 2026, 10:00–11:00 a.m. |
| Visitation Location | Brent Baptist Church, Brent, Alabama |
| Celebration of Life | August 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. |
| Burial | Brent City Cemetery, Brent, Alabama |
Who Was Robert “Harper” Foley?
Robert Harper Foley was a 19-year-old University of Alabama sophomore whose life was marked by frequent moves, close family relationships and a lifelong love of soccer.
Born in Kansas City, Kansas, Harper was raised as a military child. His father, retired U.S. Army Brigadier General David Clifford Foley, served in the military, meaning that Harper’s childhood included frequent relocations across the United States.
Rather than allowing those moves to distance him from others, Harper developed an ability to adapt and form friendships wherever his family settled.
His obituary describes a childhood that took him to Kentucky, Texas, Pennsylvania, Washington and Florida, among other places.
Each location became part of his story.
A Childhood Shaped by Military Life
Harper was only three weeks old when his family began its life as a military household.
He spent time at Fort Campbell in Kentucky, Fort Hood in Texas, Carlisle Barracks in Pennsylvania, Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington and MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.
Those years gave him experiences that were far removed from an ordinary childhood.
In Pennsylvania, he enjoyed playing with cousins and friends and exploring the outdoors. In Washington, he played manhunt and built igloos with the mountains of the Pacific Northwest nearby.
In Tampa, he developed a particular love for the water.
He learned to wakeboard and boat and spent time fishing around the bay.
Despite moving frequently, Harper’s family said he adapted beautifully to each new chapter.
Harper Foley and His Love of Soccer
Soccer was one of the constants throughout Harper’s childhood.
He began playing the sport at just three years old.
While his family moved from one military community to another, soccer remained an anchor in his life.
The sport gave him friendships, teammates and coaches who became important parts of his development.
He played for a number of youth and club teams over the years, including TC United, Tampa Bay United, Clarksville Soccer Club, Tampa Raiders and Toca FC.
He later played for the Lansing Lions during high school.
His obituary describes soccer as a central part of his life and a source of some of his closest friendships.
Harper’s Connection to Alabama
Although Harper was born in Kansas and ultimately lived in Dallas, Alabama held a particularly meaningful place in his family’s story.
He developed a deep connection to Brent, Alabama, where his maternal grandparents lived.
His family recalled the time he spent there with his cousins, describing memories of riding in his grandfather’s Kubota, fishing, swimming and enjoying outdoor activities.
The family also developed a love for the Crimson Tide.
That connection would become even more significant when Harper eventually enrolled at the University of Alabama.
University of Alabama Student
After graduating from Lansing High School in 2025, Harper began the next chapter of his life at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
He was a sophomore when he died.
At Alabama, Harper became a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, where he quickly developed relationships with fraternity brothers and roommates.
His fraternity became another community in his young adult life, adding to the network of friendships he had built through family, school and soccer.
The published obituary identifies his Kappa Sigma brothers as honorary pallbearers alongside his soccer teammates and club teammates.
Harper Foley’s Family
Family was central to Harper’s life.
He was the son of David Clifford Foley and Claire White Foley.
He is survived by his brothers, Franklin Price Foley, 21, and Alexander Gates Foley, 16.
Franklin was also attending the University of Alabama at the time of Harper’s death, while Alexander was a student at Highland Park High School in Dallas.
Harper’s extended family included grandparents, aunts, uncles and numerous cousins across several states.
His paternal grandparents were retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Robert Franklin Foley and Julie Teresa Foley of Alexandria, Virginia.
His maternal grandparents, Judge James Mordecai White and Katherine Moseley White of Brent, Alabama, had died before Harper.
Harper Foley’s Death and Cause of Death
According to the published obituary, Robert “Harper” Foley died on August 23, 2026, following a brief illness.
He was 19.
The family did not publicly identify a more specific medical diagnosis in the obituary.
His death came while he was still in the early stages of his college life, making the news particularly difficult for relatives, fraternity brothers, teammates and friends who knew him.
The obituary describes Harper as a bright and cherished University of Alabama sophomore.
Remembering a 19-Year-Old With a Wide Circle of Friends
Harper’s life brought him into contact with people across many different communities.
His military childhood meant that he learned early how to build friendships in new places.
Soccer gave him another network of teammates and coaches.
His family provided a constant foundation.
And at Alabama, Kappa Sigma became an important part of his college experience.
The number of people named as pallbearers and honorary pallbearers reflects the many circles in which Harper had formed meaningful relationships.
His brothers, cousins, fraternity brothers, roommates and soccer teammates will all play a role in remembering him.
Funeral and Celebration of Life Arrangements
Funeral arrangements for Robert “Harper” Foley have been announced.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Brent Baptist Church, 2446 Main Street, Brent, Alabama.
A Celebration of Life service will immediately follow at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Dr. Jim Smith officiating.
Burial will follow at Brent City Cemetery, 166 Middlebrooks Street, Brent, Alabama.
The family has also announced that memorial contributions may be made in Harper’s honor to “wear blue: run to remember.”
Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers
Harper’s brothers and cousins will serve among his pallbearers, alongside members of his University of Alabama fraternity and other close friends.
His pallbearers include his brothers Price and Gates Foley and cousins Sam White, Trey White, Will Edwards and Connor Foley.
His fraternity brothers and roommates Mason Alexander Owens, Erik William Einarson, John Robert Patty and Robert Paul Leach II will also serve as pallbearers.
Honorary pallbearers include members of the Beta Chapter of Kappa Sigma at the University of Alabama, as well as Harper’s teammates from the Lansing Lions and his various club soccer teams.
A Life Remembered Through Family, Soccer and Friendship
Harper Foley’s obituary paints a picture of a young man whose life was constantly moving but whose connections remained strong.
He experienced childhood in military communities around the country.
He found stability in soccer.
He built treasured memories with his grandparents and cousins in Alabama.
He graduated from high school in 2025.
And he began building a new life at the University of Alabama.
At only 19, Harper had already left lasting memories across a remarkably wide circle of family and friends.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Robert “Harper” Foley?
Robert “Harper” Foley was a 19-year-old University of Alabama sophomore from Dallas, Texas. He was born in Kansas City, Kansas, grew up as a military child and was a lifelong soccer player.
When did Harper Foley die?
Harper Foley died on August 23, 2026, at the age of 19.
What was Harper Foley’s cause of death?
His published obituary states that he died following a brief illness. No more specific medical diagnosis was publicly identified in the obituary.
Did Harper Foley attend the University of Alabama?
Yes. Harper was a sophomore at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa when he died. He was also a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.
When is Harper Foley’s funeral?
Visitation is scheduled for August 29, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Brent Baptist Church in Brent, Alabama. A Celebration of Life service follows at 11:00 a.m., with burial afterward at Brent City Cemetery.
Where will Harper Foley be buried?
Harper Foley will be buried at Brent City Cemetery, 166 Middlebrooks Street, Brent, Alabama.
Conclusion
The death of Robert “Harper” Foley at 19 has brought grief to a family and a wide network of friends, teammates and college fraternity brothers.
From his earliest years as a military child to his time playing soccer across the country, Harper developed a remarkable ability to form friendships and embrace each new chapter of his life.
He carried that spirit to the University of Alabama, where he had begun his sophomore year and joined Kappa Sigma.
His connection to Alabama was particularly personal. The memories he created with his grandparents, cousins and extended family in Brent helped make the state a meaningful part of his life long before he became a Crimson Tide student.
Harper’s life was brief, but the obituary and the people named in his funeral arrangements show how many relationships he had built in those 19 years.
He will be remembered by his parents, brothers, grandparents, extended family, fraternity brothers, soccer teammates, coaches and friends whose lives he touched along the way.
Disclaimer
This obituary is based on publicly available funeral-home and family information available at the time of publication. Details concerning Harper Foley’s death, memorial service and family arrangements should be understood in that context and may be updated if the family releases additional information. Funeral and memorial details remain subject to change at the family’s discretion.
