Wyoming Arts Council Administrative Assistant Evangeline Bratton recruits and supervises volunteers for the agency. One of the WAC's longtime volunteers was Solomon Foss who passed away March 16 in Cheyenne. Here's a remembrance of Sol, written by Evangeline:
Wyoming Arts Council Volunteer Solomon Foss joined the WAC's Volunteer Family with his wife Wanda in 1988.
Sol, as he preferred to be called, enjoyed his time spent with others either in assembling a massive mailing for the Arts Council or to braving the early cold morning hours at Lions Park picking up debris and whatever else he would find to clear the park of trash. As he once mentioned at one of his volunteer visits to the Arts Council, he likes that time of the day when it's very quiet, no one else is around and one's thoughts are not hindered as he would pick up bottles, papers, etc., He found treasures as well as "stuff" at the park for more than 10 years.
During World War II, Sol played in the U.S. Army Band. He loved wearing his signature veteran's cap, a familiar sight that revealed his character. It was his friendly, talkative, amiable, down-to-earth character and his smile we will always remember.
Sol was a witty, sharp, and intelligent guy as he would talk to just about anyone and about any subject. He could speak in a German dialect that he learned from his German immigrant parents. He spoke often of his Army experiences, and liked to give out Hawaiian greetings as well.
The Arts Council was delighted and honored that Sol and Wanda came to the December 2008 WAC Christmas party. They also attended the annual Governor's Arts Awards dinner over the years until health reasons prevented them from coming to the event.
Sol's last stint donating his skills, time and good cheer to the Arts Council was on March 13, 2007, with labeling of the Youth Arts Month Poster mailing. He and Wanda were always happy to take the time to help us out until ill health forced them to curtail their activities and be home bound.
Whenever I would call them for an upcoming project and Sol answered the phone, he would always say: "I'll have you talk to Wanda, the boss." And then Wanda would say that both of them would be at the WAC on the appointed day.
