[1] Foote graduated from Amherst College in 1943 and served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, including combat at the Battle of Okinawa.

[5][6] Elected Lieutenant Governor in 1960, he served under Republican F. Ray Keyser Jr.

When Keyser lost the governorship to Philip H. Hoff in 1962, Foote won re-election.

In 1964 Foote challenged Hoff, but lost badly in what turned into a wave election for Democrats nationwide.

He was cremated, and his remains were interred at Evergreen Cemetery in West Cornwall, Vermont.