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Michael Foster Obituary
Born in Poole, Dorset, in 1929, his youth was influenced by WWII - enjoying his messenger boy duty during air raids, and the excitement of collecting shrapnel from the barbed-wire beaches. After his RAF service, he studied art and drama to become a teacher and taught in Yorkshire, where his love of acting blossomed. At 25, he left teaching and became a professional actor at The Playhouse Theatre in Oxford alongside future legends, Maggie Smith and Ronnie Barker. His acting career continued in London, the West End, and tours throughout Britain where he met his first wife, Betty Evans, a Welsh/Canadian aspiring singer and actress. He continued his acting career after moving to Toronto in 1957, and Vancouver (Betty's hometown). He resumed his teaching career after marrying Betty in 1958, and the births of their children, David, Deborah, and Wendy. Sadly, Betty died of cancer after only 11 years of marriage in 1969.
He was a full professor at UBC in the Education Department and often taught his art program at UVic in the summers. In addition to his UBC career, he broadcast a monthly CBC art program, "Pictures in the Air", taught Saturday morning art classes at the local Community Centre and was also highly involved with the West Van United Church where he directed 17 productions, lent his creative expertise for many church banners, Sunday school art activities, the Christmas Nativity pageant, and the Art Gallery at the Church sale. He met Loree while he was teaching at UVic and they married in 1971, with her two children, Karin (8) and Lorne (6) joining his children, David (11), Deborah (9) and Wendy (7).
After 30 years of inspiring art education in future generations of teachers, he retired from UBC in 1989, returning to acting in theatre, movies, television, commercials, and voiceovers until his early 80's. Michael and Loree also enjoyed travelling across Canada, USA, and Britain and visiting extended family. He had a gift for making everyone feel special and valued, and will be deeply missed by his family and all who were fortunate to have met him. Many thanks to Lions Gate Hospital and his health care professionals, who frequently cared for Michael over the past few years, and their compassion to allow immediate family to be at his side for his remaining hours.
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Memories and Condolences
for Michael Foster
6 Entries
Lucy Andersen
April 3, 2021
I'd like to give my heartfelt condolences to Michael Foster's family. I was sad to hear he had passed away.
Mr Foster had a big influence on my life through his children's art classes he taught in the 70's at the West Vancouver Community Centre. I loved his class and went weekly from when I was age 5 to 13. I remember how we would sit on the floor around him and he would use children's books and illustrations to create a theme for the day and spark our imaginations. Each week he varied the materials we worked with such as paint, felt, cardboard, and clay. Mr Foster was a wonderful presence in the class, instilling a sense of wonder and the freedom to do whatever we wanted.
I've continued to paint and create to this day thanks to the love of art he instilled in me as a child.
Lucy Andersen
Anne Steele
January 29, 2021
Loree and family, Thinking of you. So sorry to hear of Michael's passing. He was such a multi-talented man, a very special person! West Van United Church will be forever indebted to him.
Rita Irwin
January 26, 2021
I wish to send my sincere condolences to Michael's wife and family. While our careers in art education at UBC didn't overlap I knew him from when I was a student in the program. I will always remember so fondly for his enthusiasm, creativity, generosity and love of child art. Indeed, there are still artworks hanging in Scarfe that he organized. They help us remember that our work is always rooted in the world of children. I am indebted to him for everything he did for children, students and colleagues at UBC. He was a wonderful man who will be sorely missed.
Garfield Pennington
January 26, 2021
When Michael and I were teaching at UBC in the early days we often shared a car ride from West Van to campus. I recall one of us having to operate the windshield wipers manually on my old car. Many good conversations and much laughter. What a fine and gentle man he was. It was a privilege to know him as friend and colleague. Dr Garfield Pennington
Ian and Billie Housego
January 26, 2021
Ian and I have fond memories of Michael as an esteemed colleague in the Faculty of Education at UBC. He was creative, gentle, cordial and one of those persons with whom it was a joy to work. We send sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Amanda Hunt
January 21, 2021
My husband Tim and I have such fond memories of Michael. He directed us in several productions at West Van United Church back in the 70s. What a wonderful director he was, as well as a gentle, joyful, and inspiring person. I was lucky enough to also have him as my Art Methods professor at UBC during my teacher training. Michael brought a lot of light and kindness to this world.
My deepest sympathy,
Amanda (Hardman, back in the day!)
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