Foster, Bobby Wayne
Bobby Wayne Foster was born on December 15, 1938 in Borger, Texas. At the age of two, his parents, Bertha and Mannie Foster, moved Bob and his sister to Lubbock, Texas. Bertha Foster left Lubbock with her two children and eventually re-located to Albuquerque when Bob was in 2nd grade.
Bob grew up in Albuquerque's South Valley, where he attended the Old Albuquerque High School. His mother worked at the Franciscan Hotel, and his step-father worked as a railroad mechanic. Prior to finishing his senior year in high school, Bob enlisted in the Air Force, and was assigned to Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. in the fall of 1955.
Bob compiled an impressive knockout record as an amateur fighter for the Air Force Boxing team, and in 1959, he beat out a young Cassius Clay to earn a place on the USA Boxing Team for the Pan American Games. Bob won the Silver Medal in the Pan Am Games, and the next summer, he competed for a spot on the 1960 US Olympic Team. When the only spot offered to Bob was at Middleweight, Bob, who was 6'3", decided he could not fight at that weight, and turned down the offer. The Light Heavyweight spot on the 1960 Olympic Team was given to Cassius Clay, who went on to win the gold medal in Rome that fall.
Bob turned pro in 1961, and quickly developed a fearsome reputation in the ring. His punching power was so formidable, that all the Light Heavyweight title holders of the 1960's avoided him for many years. In 1968, Bob finally got his chance at the title, when he faced Light Heavyweight champion, Dick Tiger, in Madison Square Garden. Bob destroyed Dick Tiger in the 4th round with a punch that is considered to be one of the greatest left-hooks in the history of boxing. Bob received the prestigious Edward J. Neil Award in 1968 as the Outstanding Boxer of the Year.
Bob was so dominant as the Light Heavyweight champion, that he soon found himself in a position to fight for the world Heavyweight championship. On November 18, 1970, Bob fought Smokin' Joe Frazier in Detroit, Michigan. Although he lost to Frazier in two rounds, Bob continued to dominate the Light Heavyweight division with devastating knockouts over number one contenders Vicente Rondon, Mike Quarry, and Chris Finnegan. In 1972, Bob again moved up to the Heavyweight division, where he fought his old friend, Muhammad Ali. Bob weighed 35 pounds less than Ali, but none-the-less gave him a great fight. Foster lost in the 8th round, after leaving Ali with a cut for the first time in his career.
Bob next sought to defend his Light Heavyweight title against top-ranked contender, Pierre Fourie, a white boxer from South Africa. The fight was originally planned to be held in South Africa, however, government officials refused to allow the mixed race match to take place based on the rules of Apartheid. Instead, Bob fought Pierre Fourie in Albuquerque in August of 1973, where he easily won a 15 round decision, in the first ever championship boxing match held in the Duke City. A few months later, the South African government finally agreed to allow Bob to fight Pierre Fourie in a re-match, in what would be the first professional boxing match between a black and a white fighter under the system of Apartheid. On December 1, 1973, Bob easily won another 15 round decision over Fourie in Johannesburg, and established himself as an early pioneer in the long, global fight to end Apartheid in South Africa.
Bob retired from the ring as the Light Heavyweight champion in 1974, and entered a full-time career in Law Enforcement with the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department. After retiring from active street patrol, Bob continued to work for the Sheriff's Office Security detail at the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque. Bob also actively trained and managed many professional boxers in Albuquerque, including Tommy Cordova, Primo Ramos, Jason Bray, and Jason Cordova.
Bobby was preceded in death by his parents Bertha and Mannie Foster and sister Mildred Harris. He is survived by his wife, Rose Foster; as well his children Bobby Jr. (Pam) Foster, Anthony Foster, Yolanda Foster James, Mildred Foster, and Nelson Smith; two nephews; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, 11:00 am at Gods House Church, 2335 Wyoming NE. Visitation will be held on December 1, 2015 from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm at Daniel's Funeral Home, Strong - Thorne Chapel, 1100 Coal Ave SE.
In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate gifts to the Bobby Foster Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of New Mexico. Please mail contributions to: UNM Foundation, Two Woodward Center, 700 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Strong-Thorne Mortuary Strong-Thorne, Daniels Family Funeral Services.
Louise
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
Great memories! Rest in peace and power! You are missed!
Louise Battle
Friend
February 22, 2024
I moved to Albuquerque from Texas in 1996. I use to race at the racetrack abq dragway from 2003 to 2008. I would take Bobby Foster road to get there. Never really gave it any thought of the name, but wondered from time to time driving on that road. I just googled this mans name on 11-22-2023 and read this article posted here. My dad was born in 1932 so the timeline for me is close to Bobby Foster as well. Mr Foster sure seemed like a nice man, A gentle man, or probably even like my dad... A mans man. Wish I would have googled Mr Fosters name while he was still alive to meet him. Seems like an outstanding citizen for all he did, and was in the military; my dad too. Both Fine Respectable men.
My condolences to the Foster family and friends.
Jim G.
Jim G
Other
November 22, 2023
Foster Family, this is late in coming. My condolences to all of you. I grew up in the SW Valley, was a friend of Mildred. I had a few visits to the Foster home, which are memories I will not forget. Am grateful to the Foster family for including me in your lives in those days. Mildred please contact me, I have missed you.
Inez Aguilar-Davis
February 7, 2020
Rest In Peace my brother. Peace to you Rose and family.
Louise Battle
July 29, 2017
Dear Mrs. Rose Foster,
We have never met and I'm sorry for that. I also don't know your children but I do remember Bobby's good friend, Joe Louis Murphy.
Bobby and I were friends clear back in the days when we were students at Five Points and Ernie Pyle. I followed Bobby's careen with great admiration and pride. Pride not only for Bobby but where we all come from in the South Valley. (He lived on Riverside and I was a couple blocks away on the corner of Michigan and Bridge Street.) Many were the play battles between us and make believe Japanese in the Bosque by the river. (Remember this was during WWII and shortly thereafter). Part of our "platoon" involved Bobby Foster, Eddie Gonzales, Steve Apodaca, and yours truly. We all grew up and went our separate ways...with varying degrees of success. However, Bobby achieved the greatest success of all. I have always been so proud to be his friend, and, over the years, whenever we ran into each other he never ceased to acknowledge me and our lifelong friendship.
Whenever you feel the need to talk to a friend of Bobby's please feel free to give me a call at 505-281-7601---Romeo & Dianne Di Lallo
ROMEO DI LALLO
December 8, 2015
A wonderful man.
Lori
December 4, 2015
Ann Jackson
December 2, 2015
Ann Jackson
December 2, 2015
My deepest sympathy to the Foster family. My late husband, Fred, and I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with Bobby and Rosetta. He, Fred and Rev. Willie Gray, who was visiting from Washington, D.C. recounted numerous stories about their Air Force boxing attempts and Bobby's success. Everyone who knew Bobby respected him. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of grief.
Priscilla Bottom
December 2, 2015
To Rose and Family, from the Taplin family. Death is more universal than life; everyone dies but not everyone lives. Bobby truly lived.
Richard Taplin
December 1, 2015
God bless you and your family during your loss. Bobby was such a gentleman. I worked with him at the Sheriffs Office and he was never arrogant about his accomplishments. He will be missed.
Geraldine Herrera
December 1, 2015
RIP Bobby you made all us kids from Riverside Dr proud...you were our hero.
May your family find peace and comfort.
Robert Webb
December 1, 2015
To the Foster family and Miss Rose please accept my condolences. I have nothing but fond memories of u all. K
K Marshall
December 1, 2015
From the Fisher-Jordan Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
December 1, 2015
I had the honor of working with Bobby at the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department. He was a true gentleman and a diplomat to the people he served.
He was my son's godfather as well. He was loved and respected by all.
Rest in peace brother.
Jim Jones
Capt. BCSD Ret.
Jim Jones
December 1, 2015
Rose and family my condolences and prayers go out to you and your family.I know God will will give you the strength you need to carry on.
Doris Foster, and family
November 30, 2015
Praying for all of Mr. Fosters family as you mourn his passing. He was a role model for me growing up in Albuquerque. They just don't make me like that anymore.
Marty Schnoor
November 30, 2015
Rose and Family my thoughts and prayers go out to you and the family. I pray that you will remain strong.. God Bless always
Myrl Tillman and Family
November 30, 2015
My condolences go out to the Foster family. My mother Thelma Hoskins and Bobby's mother Bertha were good friends and I enjoyed as a kid going over to Bobby's house and playing with his children and spending nights over there. Myself and my brother Ronnie Stevenson were always treated very well. I now live in Sacramento CA. And have come to Albuquerque from time to time and have always wanted to see the man we called Uncle Bobby, but never was able to hook up with him or the family. My love goes out to the family! May you rest in pease Uncle Bobby!!!
Michael Stevenson
3476 squaw Road West Sacramento
916-501-3601
November 29, 2015
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