Schuyler Foerster

In Loving Memory of Dr. Schuyler ("Sky") Foerster, Col USAF-Ret

September 20, 1949 – July 25, 2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Dr. Schuyler ("Sky") Foerster, Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired), passed away on July 25, 2025, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Born on September 20, 1949, in Newport News, Virginia, Sky lived a life fiercely dedicated to public service and human kindness. He will be remembered as a teacher, an officer, a leader, a husband, a father, a global citizen, and a civic activist for peace and justice. He was deeply devoted to his family, friends, students, colleagues, and professional and civic communities. He lived every day with faith, love, compassion, and generosity.

A 1971 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs, Sky began a distinguished 26-year career in the Air Force as an intelligence officer in Southeast Asia and Washington, D.C., and later held senior advisory roles in security and arms control policy, retiring with the rank of colonel. His notable assignments included:

- Officer of the Defense Advisor, U.S. Mission to NATO (Brussels, Belgium, 1986–1988)

- Special Assistant to the Ambassador, U.S. Delegation to the Negotiations on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, Joint Consultative Group, and the Conference for Security and Cooperation in Europe (Vienna, Austria, 1989–1994)

- Senior Advisor to the Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Strategic Command

Sky's educational achievements were equally distinguished. In addition to his Air Force Academy degree, he earned:

- A Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) in Politics from Merton College, Oxford (1983)

- A Master's in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (1972)

- A Master of Public Administration from American University (1976)

- National Security Fellowship at the JFK School of Government, Harvard University (1988–1989)

- A Doctor of Humane Letters (Honoris Causae) from La Roche College (2009)

In addition to numerous civic and teaching awards, his military decorations included the Defense Superior Service Medal (2), Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal (3), and Air Force Achievement Medal, among others.

Throughout his military and post-military career, Sky was closely associated with the U.S. Air Force Academy's Department of Political Science. He served as permanent faculty from 1977–1979, 1982–1986, and 1988–1989, and later as the Brent Scowcroft Professor of National Security Studies at the Eisenhower Center for Space and Defense Studies (2009–2016). He was named Professor Emeritus in 2020. He mentored countless cadets and students, guiding Rhodes, Marshall, and Schwarzman Scholarship candidates. He also taught as adjunct faculty at Colorado College, the University of Pittsburgh, Masaryk University in the Czech Republic, and as a Visiting Lecturer on Global Political Issues with Compass Entertainment & Speakers.

Following his retirement from active duty, Sky devoted himself to education, public speaking, writing and publishing, radio interviews, nonprofit leadership, and civic activism. He spoke and published widely on international politics and security issues, engaging academic, professional, and civic audiences across the world.

His many professional affiliations included the International Institute for Strategic Studies, International Studies Association, Rotary International, and the World Affairs Councils of America. He served 12 years as President of the World Affairs Council of Pittsburgh, sat on the national board of the World Affairs Councils of America, and served as Emeritus and Past President of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs World Affairs Council.

A tireless community leader, Sky also served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Springs Citizens Project, member of the Rotary Club of Colorado Springs, International Service Committee Chair, founding Director of the Center for Civic Resilience and Non-Violent Social Change, and founder of CGST Solutions, a consulting firm specializing in national security policy and civic education.

Sky was a devoted member of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Colorado Springs, where he served as a Council member for Outreach, Chair of Mission, Giving & Outreach, a member of the Just Peace team, and a proud singer in the Chancel Choir.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellen Yates Foerster and Frederick Henry Foerster Jr. (USMA '39), and by his brother Robert (Bob) Yates Foerster (Col USAF-Ret '65).

He is survived by his beloved wife of 53 years, Janet Louise Johnson Foerster; his brother, Frederick Henry Foerster III; his daughters, Allyson Catherine Foerster and Jennifer Elise Foerster; and his extended family of nieces, nephews, and countless "chosen" brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the U.S. Air Force Academy Memorial Pavilion in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 10 a.m. on September 12, 2025, followed by a Celebration of Life on September 13, 2025.

Sky and Janet Foerster have long been committed to supporting Afghan and other refugee communities in Colorado Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sky's name to IMAGINATION CELEBRATION, a local nonprofit that supports refugee communities:

In honor of Schuyler Foerster

https://www.imaginationcelebration.org/donate/

or mail to: Imagination Celebration. P.O. Box 1917, CS, CO 80902