Robert O. Foerster Jr.

Robert O. Foerster, Jr. - VIDALIA - Robert O. Foerster, Jr. passed away on May 29, 2010 in Vidalia, Georgia. He was born on January 28, 1917, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the son of Robert O. Foerster of Hamburg, Germany and Ewing Wendell of Murfreesboro. The family shortly thereafter moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where he grew up. He attended Robert E. Lee High School and the University of Alabama. In 1936 he moved to New York where he embarked on a long career in the maritime industry. For five years he went to sea starting as a Deck Cadet and rising to the position of Chief Purser with Grace Line. He married Anne Hadvab, his wife of sixty years in 1940. In 1941 he was assigned as cargo manager and port superintendent to Valparaiso, Chile where he remained until 1946. He and Anne and their son then moved back to Jacksonville where he entered the family lumber business. Bob was called to active duty as a Lieutenant with the United States Navy during the Korean War. He rejoined Grace Line in 1957 serving in several executive positions in New York until 1966. From 1966 to 1969 he served as Vice-President of Pittston Stevedoring Corp., and from 1969 to 1973 as President of Consolidated Marine, Inc. in Los Angeles. He then became ViceðPresident of Operations of Maher Terminal, Inc. the largest marine terminal operator in the country. He remained with Maker until he and Anne retired in Hilton Head, South Carolina in 1985. After Anne passed away he moved to Vidalia, Georgia to be close to his son and his family. He was a member of the Vidalia Presbyterian Church, the Kiwanis Club and the Meadows Memorial Hospital Medical Auxiliary (pink ladies). He was also very active with the Wellness Fitness Center. Bob is survived by his son, Robert O. Foerster, III, by his daughter-in-law, Sarah, and by two step-grandchildren., Jack and Alex Downie. In Jacksonville, he is survived by his brother, David W. Foerster and his wife Margaret. He has numerous nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and nephews. There will be a memorial service at the Vidalia Presbyterian Church on June 6, 2010 at 2;00 p.m. In lieu of flowers remembrances can be made to the Alzheimer's Association in his name. Stewart Funeral Service Vidalia Savannah Morning News May 31, 2010 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries .