Richard Foster

Some men are content to lead pedestrian lives, earthbound and ordinary. Ric Foster certainly wasn’t one of them. Ric was an amazing man, with a brilliant mind, steady hand, and enormous heart. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, a great man, and a good friend.

Ric’s story began on a warm spring day in 1936, in the charming town of Glendale, California. Those were hopeful times in this country, which was struggling to overcome the Great Depression. On March 25, 1936, Richard and Adelia Louise (Osborn) Foster, Sr. found other reasons for hope, with the birth of a baby son they named Richard.

Ric was joined by his little brother Ron in the family’s home. The boys lost their father at an early age, and their mother worked two jobs to make ends meet. Their grandfather became the central influence in their young lives.

After he graduated from Stockton High in 1954, the 17-year-old Ric joined the Air Force, where he excelled at everything he did. He graduated from the academy first in his class, and was accepted into the prestigious Strategic Air Command (SAC). He also earned a bachelor’s degree and later a teaching certificate while in the service.

Ric’s life in the Air Force took him to great heights. He served on the plane that was the largest bomber in the world at that time – the Vultee RBB-36, powered by six engines and 28,000 horsepower! Their responsibility was to “defend our borders”’ by flying to the North Pole and back. Ric was very proud of his service for his country, and for going from high school graduate to first class radio and radar navigator flying aboard the B-36.

In his 23 year career he became an instructor and trainer in many fields. He also worked on guided missiles at Vandenberg AFB and many other stations. After he retired from the Air Force, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration in 1983, where he worked the rest of his life.

Ric married Wendy Ableson on August 15, 2004. They had both been married previously. Ric brought Debi, Robert, Richard, Jami and Ryan and Wendy brought, Dale, Jarrett and Kara into the family.

Ric was a man of so many interests, many hobbies, especially anything electrical. He loved to read, he was an aspiring writer, and even directed several barbershop quartets/chorses and sang in one too. He was a skilled carpenter, a cat lover, and researched herbal medicines.

He was also “the kindest man in the world,” who always put his family first in his life, and spoiled them liberally. He was interested in the needs of others and had compassion for the down and out, as well.

Ric was an incredible man, who lived an incredible life, a life so full of successes. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, a veteran and patriot, a great man, as well as a good man. He will be greatly missed.

Ric is survived by: Wife Wendy Ableson Foster, children, Debi and Nick Blount, Robert Foster, Richard and Angela Foster, Jami and Doyle Gillis, Ryan Foster, Dale and Derek Hussey, Jarrett Ellis, Kara and Jim Rautio; five grandchildren, Sean, Tyler, Hailey, Addison,and Evan Renee; his brother Ron (Toni) Foster, sisters Shirley, Janet, and Colleen Ableson and Cynthia Ciemny

"Good night, Ric; see you in the morning- love both here and beyond" - Wendy

Memorial services will be held in Grand Rapids on Saturday, September 22, 2007 at the Van Strien-Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE Grand Rapids, MI 49505. Visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook.