Harold Douglas FOSTER

HAROLD DOUGLAS FOSTER
HAROLD DOUGLAS FOSTER Ph.D. Harry passed away peacefully at Victoria Hospice after a brief illness on the evening of August 15, 2009, with his family and business colleague at his side. He was born in Tunstall, England in 1943, to Alison and Arthur Foster. Predeceased by his parents; his sister, Helen; his first wife, Lorelei; his friends Derek Sewell, Dr. Abram Hoffer and Dr. Joseph Campbell; and his faithful canine companions, Cranberry and Winston. Harry is lovingly remembered by Sarah, his wife of 19 years; his step-son, David (Amanda), and grandchildren, Grant and Julianna, and their mother, Claire Jannaway; step-son, Christopher (Mary) and baby granddaughter, Kristy; and step-son, Daniel. He will also be missed by Phylis, John and Gabriel Songhurst, of Victoria, B.C.; Harry and Avis Boese of Abbotsford; Richard, Dixie, Michael and Ryan Boese; and loved ones in the U.K.

In 1968 Harry graduated with a Ph.D. in Geography from London University (U.K.). He was a tenured professor at the University of Victoria, and for 41 years taught medical geography, disaster planning, and supervised masters and doctoral students. Harry retired in 2008 and became Professor Emeritus. He authored, or edited, over 400 publications, the majority of which focussed on reducing disaster losses or identifying the causes of chronic disease or longevity. He published hypotheses on the origins of numerous diseases, including myocardial infarction, SIDS, cancer, diabetes, schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, ALS, Alzheimer's and Parkinsons's diseases, stroke and AIDS. After his UVic retirement, Harry co-founded Foster Health Inc. with his dear colleagues, Brian Holmes and JP Lafleur. A special thanks is given to Dr. Jim Sparling for his faith in Harry. Harry was a member of the Explorer's Club and several academic organizations, including The New York Academy of Sciences, The Royal Geographic Society and The Royal Society of Literature. He was a member of the boards of the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine and the International Schizophrenia Foundation and the recipient of several awards. Harry loved horse racing, soccer, rugby, hockey, Coronation Street and the White Heather Tea Room. He will be forever remembered for his gentleness, gift of humour and wit, high intelligence, humility and integrity, generous spirit and enormous talent for writing, and for the 'The Harry Truth'. The impact of his work is only beginning to be felt globally and humanity will be better and stronger because of it.

There is a quote by Herbert Spence (1820-1903) that was a sort of guiding light in Harry's life: 'There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all argument, and which cannot fail to keep man in everlasting ignorance. That principle is condemnation without investigation.' The family is grateful for the kind and compassionate care of B.C. Ambulance staff, Royal Jubilee Hospital doctors and staff in the emergency department, 2 West, and the special care provided by Victoria Hospice staff, including Peter Renner.

The interment of Harry's ashes was held on August 21 at Royal Oak Burial Park. A celebration of Harry's life is planned for late fall at the University of Victoria. His family, friends, colleagues, supporters and former students are invited to attend or to send anecdotes about Harry.

'What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others.' – attributed to Pericles
www.hdfoster.com