Robert David Foster

Dr. Robert David Foster, DDS, died peacefully on Thursday, July 27, in his summer home in Harbert, Michigan, surrounded by his wife and children. He had attained the age of 98 years, six months, and one day. Dr. Foster was born on January 26, 1919, in Plano, Illinois, to Wilda Ione VanKirk Foster and Dr. Royal Allen Foster. He grew up roaming with his brothers in the woods around Plano. He graduated from Morris High School.  In December of 1943, he earned the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from Northwestern University School of Dentistry, Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Foster joined the United States Navy in 1944, serving as a dentist at the Naval Base in San Diego and on a Destroyer Tender in the Pacific Theater of World War II until 1946.   Before reporting for duty, he was united in marriage on March 19, 1944, to June Christine Spandet, also of Morris, Illinois. They began their married life in San Diego, California, but returned to Illinois in 1947 where he established a dental practice in Aurora, and made a home with his wife June. There they raised their family of five children, all of whom graduated from West Aurora High School before pursuing college and advanced degrees.  They gave their children opportunities to be immersed in nature, water, music, travel, and books, teaching them to love the world as much as they loved each other.  In 1960, the family began spending summers in Harbert, Michigan.  It was there that Dr. Foster learned to sail, an activity which became one of his great joys.He retired from his thriving dental practice in the late 1980’s.  For several years, he continued practicing dentistry on a part time basis with his sister, Dr. Mary Foster Anderson, also of Aurora.  His love of land and farming led him to a second career in farm real estate and management.  In 2010, Bob and June moved from their family home of six decades in Aurorato Evanston, Illinois, to live closer to family.There he and his wife June resided at The Mather, worshiped at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church, and enjoyed the cultural life of a lakefront university town. Dr. Foster loved listening to and playing New Orleans jazz, sailing his Hobie Cat, walking in the woods, telling and hearing stories, cookingimprovisationally, travelling with his wife, picking morrells in Plano, and playing with his children and grandchildren.His sense of humor and ready smile never left him. He was an inveterate reader who remained vitally interested in national and global affairs.  He cared deeply about the future of the earth beyond his own lifetime, especially the well-being of the most vulnerable.   Above all, he loved his wife June and his family. Robert Foster was preceded in death by his parents, Wilda Ione VanKirk Foster and Royal Allen Foster, two brothers (Ray and Allen), and his sister, Mary. He is survived by his brother John (Mary Ann) Foster of Rockford, Illinois, his wife June Spandet Foster, his five children, Kristin Foster (Frank Davis) of Cook, Minnesota, Melissa Foster of Chicago, Illinois, David Foster (Melissa Wynne) of Evanston, Illinois, Barbara Foster (Dr. Dennis Coalson) of River Forest, Illinois, and Margaret Foster (Dr. ChristophBruns) of Evanston, Illinois, his ten grandchildren, Tyler Foster Davis (MichaelBoulette), Emily Foster Davis, Calder Foster Coalson, Matthew Wynne Foster, Elam Foster Coalson, Caroline Wynne Foster, Gareth Foster Coalson, Aidan Foster Coalson, Benjamin Foster Bruns, and Nikola Foster Bruns, one great grandchild Harriet Davis-Boulette, plus numerous nieces, nephews, and other family members who will cherish him forever. A private family graveside service will take place in Lakeside, Michigan, officiated by his daughter, the Rev. Kristin Foster. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be designated to Chikaming Open Lands, a critically important local organization working to protect and preserve the forest and wetlands of southwest Michigan.  Dr. Foster loved and supported their mission and would be pleased for anyone who would join him in contributing to this fine organization as part of his legacy.  Their address is 12291 Red Arrow Highway, Sawyer, MI 49125; phone is (269) 405-1006; website is www.chikamingopenlands.org.