Mr Stephen Charles Foster

Stephen Charles Foster, 64 of Huntington, Wv. died August 19, 2009 at St. Mary’s Hospital after a brief illness. He will be greatly missed. Charles graduated with a bachelor’s degree and multiple masters degrees from Marshall University. In 1965 he set off on a journey in education that lasted his entire life. He taught history and social studies for over 40 years. As an adjunct professor, he spent more than 25 years in the history department at Marshall University. He loved it. And not just the academic side. He was an avid sports fan, as an assistant track coach, a broadcaster in the early days of cable and floor announcer for the lady herd. He also loved the Chicago Cubs. Early in his career Charles was president of the Cabell County Education Association working for the rights of teachers. After teaching summer school in Cabell County for many years it was cancelled.Charles spear-headed a drive to reinstate academic summer school successfully. He believed in investing in our youth and in education.He was proud to be a Kentucky Colonel, a member of Phi Mu Sinfonia, Phi Delta Kappa, the American Philatelic Society and the Numismatist. Charles was a member of the NRA and firm believer in the second amendment. He attended Twentieth Street Baptist Church. Music played a big part in his life from jazz to the blues. He collected it and surrounded himself with music. He was born August 28, 1944 to Charles Gallatin and Delilah Yeager Foster, who predeceased him. To cherish his memory he leaves behind his wife of 36 years, Carolyn Handloser Foster, a sister Judith Carol Foster, an uncle George Yeager (Dorothy) a nephew Derek M. O’Rourke and his son Everett, his loving in-laws, Mary and Dan Handloser and many nieces and nephews. Charles was loved by all who knew him, as an intellectual and a friend. He loved people. He loved to give gifts for no special occasion. All who knew him will miss him. Funeral Services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday , August 22, 2009 at Klingel-Carpenter Mortuary with Rev. John W. Lipphardt officating. Interment will follow in the White Chapel Memorial Gardens, Barboursville, Wv. Visitation is from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Derek M. O’Rourke, Dan Handloser Jr., Jeff Handloser, Mitchell Handloser, Joseph Lanford and James Lanford. A Scholarship is being established in Charles’ name to help future history teachers. Contributions may be mailed to P.O. Box 2887, Huntington, WV 25728.