John Foster

John Robertson (Bob) Foster 78, passed away Friday, October 1, 2010, at his home in Brookneal, Virginia. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Foster, of Brookneal, Virginia, and, from San Mateo, California, brothers T. Jack Foster, Jr. and Richard H. Foster, daughter Allison Simons, son J. R. Foster, Jr., and step-son Martin Owen, 5 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Son, Jeffrey Savage Foster, died in 1995. Bob was the son of T. Jack Foster and Gladys Hutchins Foster. He was born in Norman, Oklahoma, where he attended the University of Oklahoma and was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. His education was interrupted in 1951 by a four year tour of duty with the United States Air Force. Upon completion, he returned to Norman where he earned a degree in Geology. In 1955 he joined his father and brothers in the family partnership, T. Jack Foster & Sons, where he was responsible for investment in oil and gas development. In 1960, the headquarters of the partnership was moved to Burlingame, CA. Bob moved with his family to Hillsborough, CA. where he participated with his father and brothers in the development of Foster City. His particular responsibility was to oversee the reclamation of the land, which included the importation and placement of over 18 million cubic yards of fill. Among other responsibilities, he represented the partnership in coordinating construction with the several home builders in Foster City. With the death of his father in 1968 and the sale of Foster City in 1970, Bob withdrew from the partnership, which changed its name to Foster Enterprises. He then pursued a variety of other interests. He lived for a number of years at Pt. Richmond, overlooking the Bay. He loved the water and kept a sailboat which he eventually sailed to Hawaii when he moved to the big island in 1995. He moved to Brookneal in 2005. Bob was a 32nd degree Mason. A memorial service will be held Friday, November 19, 2010, at the First Presbyterian Church in Burlingame, California at 3 p.m. A reception will follow.