Richard Foster

1931 - 2021

Richard Foster
October 3, 1931 - March 9, 2021
Burleson, Texas - Richard C Foster passed away on March 9, 2021, after a lengthy illness. Richard was born October 3. 1931, the only child of Roy C. and Maude L. Foster in Topeka, Kansas. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1949 and attended Baker University and Washburn University before enlisting in the U. S. Navy. He served as an Electronics Technician, First Class, shipboard from 1951-1955. He spent most of that time in Japan and Korea.
Richard returned to Kansas after his service in the Navy and finished college at Kansas State University, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. He married Mary J. Harri while at K-State and upon graduation, they moved to Harbor City, California to begin their work careers. He began his long engineering career with North American Aviation and worked in Aerospace the rest of his life.
He was known as Dick by family, friends, and associates. Many good friends were formed around his membership in the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce. It was the first of many civic endeavors he considered essential to live a balanced life.
He was chosen to work on the Apollo space program in Houston. So the family moved to League City, Texas, to become a part of the "space" community. It was a memorable and exciting time and he felt privileged to be a part of it.
The family moved for the last time to the Briaroaks community in Burleson, Texas. He worked for General Dynamics, later to become Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, until he retired in 1997. He then played golf and bridge with the same enthusiasm he brought to his work.
He coached girls' softball from the time Susan and Jane were old enough to play ball until they graduated from high school. Many summers were spent with the teams, making close friends with the other parents and players. Both girls played ball in college which made him very proud.
His love for sports continued with his 5 grandsons. He enjoyed watching them grow and excel in football, baseball, basketball, and soccer. He and Mary traveled to surrounding states to watch as many games as possible.
Dick's spirit of community continued through longstanding civic and church affiliations. He served on the Briaroaks City Council for 20+ years because he felt it was important to be closely involved in the city in which you live. He was also an active member of the First United Methodist Church since Junior High and more recently a member of the First United Methodist of Burleson since 1968. During those 52 years he served on many committees and as a Trustee.
He will be cremated by the Neptune Society and his ashes buried in the Brookville Community Cemetery in Brookville, Kansas which is near the family farm at a later time.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary; daughters Susan Gayle Lockhart (Joey), Jane Ellen Grammer (Bill); Grandsons: Kurt Lockhart (Jordan), Dylan Grammer, Matthew Grammer, David Grammer, Mark Grammer, and Great Grandson, Beckham Lockhart and baby Lockhart, due in April.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations be made in Dick's honor to Community Hospice of Texas, 501 N. Ridgeway Dr. Cleburne, TX 76033 or The First United Methodist Church of Burleson (Scholarship Fund) 590 N. E. Mcalister, Burleson, TX 76028.