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Frank Foster Obituary
Frank was born Jan. 21, 1941, in Brooklyn, N.Y. His family moved to Rutherford, N.J. when he was 7, where he attended high school and later enrolled in Fairleigh Dickinson University. As a young man, he made his first trip to Alaska with a team of young people for outreach with the Presbyterian Church.
He served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1965, and he trained as an electrician while stationed at Parris Island, N.C., and Iwakuni, Japan. After his discharge from the Marines, he followed his dream of returning to Alaska and attended the University of Alaska Fairbanks, studying biology, philosophy and, later, education, graduating in 1969.
He married Nora Rakestraw on June 14, 1970, and the couple settled outside of Fairbanks, trying to suit their life to the boreal forest. Daughter Louise Mary Charlotte Foster was born June 3, 1988, bringing joy to their lives.
Frank supported the arts, enjoying local theater and classical music. He attended Chena Ridge Friends Meeting. He and Nora were founding members of the Interior Alaska Land Trust, and he also volunteered at the Bread Line and at KUAC radio.
He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, employed as an operator at the Fairbanks waste water treatment plant.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Charlotte Lobmeyer Foster; sister, Charlotte Foster; and father, Frank Charles Foster.
He is survived by his wife, Nora Rakestraw Foster, and daughter, Louise Mary Charlotte Foster.
A memorial service after the manner of Friends will take place at 6 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, at Ken Kunkel Community Center in Goldstream Valley. A potluck supper will follow.
Arrangements were entrusted to Chapel of Chimes Funeral Home.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Frank Foster
Robin Harvey
May 24, 2011
Frank was an old friend of my wife Ann and I from Rutherford days. We have many fond memories of him from that era. Somehow we lost track of him after the Marines and our letters to Frank and Nora at a return address of "3-mile Dawson Trail(?)" came back undelivered. Reading his biography toniight assures us that this was the same Frank we knew and wish we could have found sooner. Some day perhaps we could meet the family and fill them in on the friend we knew and loved.
Kay Ann Honegger Van Den Ameele
May 24, 2011
My thoughts and prayers are with you. Frank and I spent many happy hours together in high school. We were both very active in the youth group at the Presbyterian Church in Rutherford. Frank invited me to attend a Broadway performance in New York of West Side Story. We had a wonderful time.
Richard Sanford
May 24, 2011
My deepest sympathy to Frank's family. Frank and were classmates at Rutherford High School and we both attended the Presbyterian Church. May God ease your grief.
May 24, 2011
Dear Nora and Louise, So very sorry to learn that Frank was "gathered." I have not seen him for so many years, but I certainly haven't forgotten the fun he was in high school. You must have had a rich life together and I am grateful for that blessing to him. He wrote in my yearbook: "Metz - a mounty always gets his man" signed his name, drew a mustache and goatee! (I was chasing a friend of his, was his reference.) He was joy to us in the l950s and it is my faith that he is still joy at this very moment. Bless each of you. Carolyn (Metzger) Asbury.
Lynn Peterson
May 24, 2011
I just heard of Frank's passing and wanted to convey my deepest sympathy to his family. Frank and I were friends in Rutherford High School, and in fact are pictured in our yearbook as a "Senior Couple". I lost track of Frank after high school, and didn't know that he'd settled in Alaska. All good wishes to his wife and daughter. Lynn (Meister) Peterson
John Cook
May 24, 2011
Dear Family -
Frank and I were friends many years ago in New Jersey. My deepest condolences at your loss.
Best regards, John Cook
EDWARD CALLAHAN
May 24, 2011
My sincerest condolences. I knew Frank from my days at Lincoln School (ages 5-8) in Rutherford, NJ. Although we've lost touch through the years I clearly remember the brief time we spent together.
Harry Schweizer
May 24, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rutherford High School Class of 1958.
Claude Klaver
May 2, 2011
Nora
All of us connected with Bingle Camp were saddened when we read of Franks sudden passing. We remember with gratitude the generous support you and Frank have given for the camp. Our love and prayers go out for you your family as you walk walk ahead without Franks love and presence.
Claude Klaver
Conrad Christianson
April 29, 2011
I was very sorry to hear of Frank's passing. I enjoyed working with him many years ago. A very pleasant man. Our thoughts are with you.
John Lyle
April 29, 2011
Long before I met Frank I'd walk on the boardwalks meandering through Finley's Forest and marvel at the engineering and artistic qualities of such a thing, and wonder if a group of fairies or elves constructed the elaborate system. Then one day I met the head elf with an elfish grin on his face. Yes, it was Frank. Living in Cloudberry for 20 years was a delight. One of the reasons this was so was because of the presence of Frank, Nora and Louise and the amazing maze of walkways through the boreal forest. Thank you, Frank, for your dreams, your good work and your elfish grins. Our love and warm regards are with Nora and Louise.
Christie Lutsch
April 28, 2011
I met Frank at work 10 years ago. We hardly ever got to see each other, with his night shift and my day shift, but I heard plenty of stories about Frank and his "antics" at work.
My heavy heart was slightly lifted when I heard some of the sharing at his memorial service on Tuesday evening. I had no idea that he and I had a shared dislike (a strong dislike) of Daylight Savings Time.
He was a quiet man, but he was not in the least bit shy. I have heard from a number of the newer employees about how he would walk right up and introduce himself to the new guy at work and shake their hand. Nope, not shy in the least.
They all had to share the same desk at his work place. When I would have to get in the desk to look for a pen or paperclip, I would always see the picture of the three Fosters. I am sure with the love that he felt for his family, he pulled that picture out at the begining of each shift and put it back in the drawer each morning.
My best thoughts are with his wife and daughter.
Marie Johnson
April 27, 2011
Very sorry to hear of Frank's passing.
He and Nora were wonderful neighbors.
Our thoughts are with you, Nora and Louise.
Teresa Sammis
April 26, 2011
So sorry to hear of Frank's passing. My prayers and condolences are with you, Nora and Louise.
April 26, 2011
Dear Nora and Louise,
We were all immensely saddened to hear of Frank's passing. He was such nice man we all enjoyed him as a customer, Sincerely, Simard Automotive
April 25, 2011
Thank you! I thought of you often as I walked your boardwalks in our neighborhood, and would guess it was you that so kindly shoveled us a snow and ice-free path this spring...
Martha Raynolds
April 25, 2011
Dear Nora & Louise - So sorry to learn of Frank's passing. Wishing you all the best, Tako
April 25, 2011
semper fi Frank. It was a pleasure to work with you all those years. You well be miss George
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