E. E. Fogelson; Oilman and Philanthropist

E. E. (Buddy) Fogelson, an oilfield wildcatter, horseman and philanthropist who was married to actress Greer Garson, died Tuesday of Parkinson’s disease at the age of 87.

Fogelson served as a member of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s staff during World War II and was partially responsible for the oil pipeline that made possible the Allied invasion and rapid advance in Europe.

For his wartime work, French President Charles de Gaulle awarded Fogelson the Croix de Guerre avec Palme, and the president of Finland honored him with the highest rank of knighthood. President Harry S. Truman appointed him to the Allied Commission on Reparations.

Born Feb. 16, 1900, in College View, Neb., he left the University of Nebraska before graduating for the lure of Texas oilfields, where the young wildcatter made a fortune. He later earned degrees from Texas Christian University and the School of Military Government at the University of Virginia.

He was a director emeritus of Hollywood Park and the Turf Club in California, and bred and raced thoroughbreds. Among winners produced by his stable was ACK ACK, who was named Horse of the Year in 1971.

He directed his philanthropic efforts toward education. To celebrate his 30th wedding anniversary, he endowed a fund in his wife’s name at Southern Methodist University to provide annual scholarships to drama students.

In addition, he and his wife were avid environmentalists, giving land and money to the Department of the Interior to make sure ancient Indian and Spanish ruins on their Forked Lightning ranch were protected. In 1966, the site was designated a National Historical Monument.

The Department of the Interior awarded Fogelson and Garson its highest possible award, a citation for almost 40 years of work to preserve and restore the environment.