BENJAMIN THEODORE "BEN" FOSTER

BENJAMIN "BEN" THEODORE FOSTER MIDDLEBURY - Benjamin "Ben" Theodore Foster, 94, a progressive dairyman and lifelong resident of Middlebury, died Saturday, July 16, 2011, in Fletcher Allen Health Care of Burlington, surrounded by his family. He was born Nov. 11, 1916, in Middlebury, the son of Theodore H. and Nina (Chaffee) Foster. Ben was a graduate of Middlebury High School, Class of 1934. Together with his brothers, Howard and George, Foster Brother's Dairy, Inc. thrived as a result of their many innovations and careful planning. Ben and his brothers were inducted into the Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2004. He was a founding director of the Addison County Artificial Breeders and the Vermont and New York Artificial Breeders Association. He enjoyed traveling with his wife in their R.V. On these trips Ben and Lois volunteered their time at several Native Indian reservations throughout the US. Ben was an avid reader with a deep love for Addison County history. He volunteered his time at Sheldon Museum for over ten years. Throughout his life he took great pride in his garden and greenhouse. Ben was a member of the Middlebury Congregational Church, holding numerous positions, the Middlebury Grange, and the Vermont branch of the International Order of King's Daughters and Sons. Ben was predeceased by his wife, Esther; an infant son, Benjamin; brother, George; sister, Luella Wolfreys; and his parents, Theodore and Nina Foster. Ben is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Lois (Reed) Foster; by his children, Theodore "Ted" Foster and his wife, Deborah, of Middlebury, David Foster of Middlebury and Luella Proctor and her husband, Charles, of St. Louis, Mo.; his brother, Howard Foster of Middlebury; his seven grandchildren, Adam of Vernon, Conn., Owen of Natick, Mass., Eric of Middlebury, Sarah Oliveira of Milton and Joy, Jeremy and Mindy, all of St. Louis, Mo.; and three great-grandchildren, Ethan, Caleb and Riley. Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 20, 2011, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, 117 So. Main St., Middlebury. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 21, 2011, at 2 p.m. at the Middlebury Congregational Church. The Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson, pastor, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of SandersonDucharme Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcome at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice, P.O. Box 754, Middlebury, VT 05753 to continue the legacy of commitment to community begun by Ben, Howard and George Foster through the establishment of Foster Brother's Fund for Home Care and Hospice, or to the Congregational Church Building and Painting Fund, 27 North Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 05753.