Robert Porter Foster, Jr.

L/Col. Robert P. Bob Foster, Jr. USAF retired, of Longview, TX passed away at a local hospital after a short illness. Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday at Trinity Episcopal Church with Reverend Kevin Whitmayer, Reverend Michael C. Macey and Verger John C. Murphy officiating. Full military graveside services will follow at Rosewood Park under the direction of Rader Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday, July 4, 2004 from 3 until 5 PM. Pallbearers will be Larry Tate, Gene Powell, Buddy Hinton, Dale Grider, Jack Goetz and L. D. Noel. Col. Foster was born January 25, 1929 in Dubach, LA. He received a B.S. from Southwestern Louisiana with a major in management. After graduation, Col. Foster began a career in the U. S. Air Force as an aviation cadet in 1951. He graduated from pilot-in-training at Bryan AFB, TX in 1952. He trained as a jet fighter pilot at Luke AFB in Arizona and then went to Korea where he flew 150 missions in the F-4 Phantom II in Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal, and 3 Air Force Commendations. After retirement in 1973, he moved to Longview and established Bob Foster and Associates, a health insurance brokerage firm. He was active in Trinity Episcopal Church and a long time member of Pinecrest Country Club. His parents, Bob and Miriam Foster, preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Liz Foster; a son, Rod Foster and wife, Deb of San Antonio; daughters, Robbie Sherrod and husband, Jeff and Linda Pierce, all of Longview. Four step-daughters, Kim Terry of Plano, Lisa LeStrange and husband, Dennis of Wayne, PA, Sally combs and husband, Tony, Jill Wolfe and husband, Jim of Longview; special uncle, Dick Foster and his wife, Robbye of Dallas. 7 grandchildren and 12 step grandchildren, along with many uncles, aunts, and cousins and friends. The family extends its gratitude for the extraordinary efforts of Dr. Jay Chastain and his staff, and Dr. Julia Archer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association or to the American Cancer Society. High Flight Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I?ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds?.and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of ?wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov?ring there, I?ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I?ve topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I?ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God. ?Can death be so bad when one has so completely lived?? - Bob Foster

Robert Porter Foster, Jr.

January 25, 1929 - July 1, 2004