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Kenneth Foster Obituary
1951 - 2021
Salt Lake City, UT—On Tuesday, December 7, 2021, Ken passed away in his home in Salt Lake City after a hard-fought struggle with Multiple Myeloma. Ken was born in Washington DC on July 22, 1951, to Arthur Glenn and Gloria Thompson Foster. He was the 6th of 16 children. The family traveled to many parts of the world for his father's Air Force duty. After settling in Salt Lake City, Ken attended Skyline High School, staying in a school for more than one year for his first time.
Ken met his wife Joanne Bello on a river trip, on which he rescued her from rapids in the Colorado River. They were married March 18, 1975 in the Salt Lake Temple. Ken's adventurous spirit led them, with their 3 children, Matt, Jason, and Kelsey, on many memorable trips to mountains, State and National parks, especially in Utah, and travel throughout the United States and Europe, including France, England, and Italy. One of their favorite activities was exploring ghost towns all over Utah and Nevada.
While in college Ken sold ads for the Daily Utah Chronicle. After graduating he worked at Harris And Love Advertising. Most of his career was spent at the University of Utah where he made many valued friends. He was Director of Marketing, Advertising, and PR for Continuing Education, and later Associate VP of Marketing & Communications. He was Adjunct Associate Professor in the Communications department, where he enjoyed interactions with his students, and his classes often had a waiting list to get in. Ken lectured on marketing throughout the United States and Canada, and consulted for institutions in locations as varied as Cambridge, UK and Saudi Arabia. He started his own marketing and research firm, Foster & Associates.
Ken had a strong testimony of Jesus Christ and avidly studied the scriptures and other Gospel teachings. He served in the Australia South Mission from 1970 – 1972. He served in many positions in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including Young Men's and Elders Quorum President, counselor in bishoprics, bishop of the Monument Park 19th Ward, and 2nd counselor in the Monument Park Stake. He enjoyed music, hiking, reading, photography, and piloting small aircrafts. He was an accomplished guitarist. He loved his family and grandchildren very much and fought to stay alive for them.
Ken is survived by his wife Joanne, sons Matt (Brittany) and Jason (Whitney), daughter Kelsey (Austin) Ewell, and his grandchildren Abby, Sailor, Lenny, Chip, and Jack Foster, and his siblings Becky, Gogi, Glenn Jr., Marsha, Adrienne, Blaine, Warren, Trudy, Maralee, Cory, Dana, and Loen. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Brian and Kelly, and his sister Kathie.
A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, 11:00 AM, with visitation from 9:45 – 10:45 AM, at the Monument Park Stake Center, 1320 S. Wasatch Drive, SLC. Friends and family may also visit on Monday, December 13th, from 6 to 8 PM at the Wasatch Hills Ward, 2255 S. Wasatch Drive.
We ask that all wear a mask so that dedicated healthcare workers in attendance may continue to safely care for their patients as they did for Ken.
A link for Zoom remote attendance is https://zoom.us/j/98610862089
Donations in honor of Ken will be gratefully received by the BMT Huntsman Cancer Institute, led by Dr. Doug Sborov, who along with the rest of the Bone Marrow Transplant team became cherished friends.
http://hope.huntsmancancer.org/diy/on-kens-behalf
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Kenneth Foster
Carl Kjeldsberg
December 3, 2023
Thank you for your support and help. Ken.
I remember us photographing birds and horses.
Carl
Bruce Jensen
December 16, 2021
Joanne, this message is a little late because I just heard about Ken's passing. Nancy and I express our deep condolences. My association with Ken goes back to the late 1970's when he succeeded me as advertising director for the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Utah. That relationship continued over the years as each year Ken would invite me to speak to one of the marketing classes he taught. Always the gentleman, he was gracious and generous - both to me and to the students in the class. It was obvious that he not only knew his subject matter, but that he truly cared for the success and well being of the students. Of course, we knew your family when we both lived in P4. Those were good days. Please know of our deep respect for the Foster family. We pray that peace and comfort will be yours during this tender time.
-Bruce Jensen
Susan Bradshaw
December 14, 2021
My friends just called me to tell me they were at the viewing for Ken today. I am so sorry I didn't know sooner so I could have attended. You have been a dear and true friend to me throughout our lives. I am sorry I was not there for you today as you have been so many times in our lives for me. I love you Joanne and am so sorry this has happened at a young age for Ken. I know he will be watching over you and your family and you will with him very soon. I want to be there for you now so call me or email me anytime.
With all my love,
Susan Bradshaw
Heidi Jordan
December 14, 2021
It's so true. You loved us as the Monument Park 19th ward and you had our backs. You were protective of us women in the ward and I thank you for that. I look forward in seeing you again.
Troy and Debbie Rohovit
December 14, 2021
Thank you for providing the zoom link to the service. We watched and enjoyed hearing the stories from Matt, Jason and Kelsey. We have so many memories from knowing Ken. He was an amazing professor (I credit his classes for having me change my major and going into advertising), and the best boss I've had in my entire career. He really did have my back (as Matt said in his memories). I will be forever grateful to him. We will miss him! Troy and Debbie Rohovit
Joan Jay Olson
December 14, 2021
I was sorry to learn that Ken had passed away. My mom has shared his fight with cancer with me over the years, and I admire how long he fought through this. I was looking forward to seeing you all at the funeral, but have kids with fevers today. I'll look forward to watching on Zoom.
Ally Baldwin
December 13, 2021
I´m so so sorry Joanne. My thoughts are with you and the kids. I love how Ken had a kind way always being interested in what i was doing and remembering this from our trip to Florida in 2007.
Richard Doutre Jones
December 13, 2021
Dear Joanne & Family. Ken was one of the first people I met the week of January 9th, 2013, when I came to Utah to be the VP/GM of KTVX-ABC4 & KUCW-CW30. We went to lunch up by the University and like so many who meet Ken, started an immediate friendship. Over the years I treasured my interactions with Ken, both professionally and personally. I felt so honored to be able to guest-teach his U of U classes for many semesters, and even more blessed to be his friend. I will miss his wonderful counsel, great insights, wonderful sense of humor and how he always made me feel better by our interactions. I love Ken very much and grateful to know I will be able to see him again "on the other side". All my love to you and your family. XO, Richard (rdj)
Kent Ono
December 13, 2021
I am so sad to hear of Ken's passing. He and I had many conversations over the years about his health. I always admired his courage and conviction surrounding his various health setbacks. He worked tirelessly as a faculty member in the Department of Communication. He was as dedicated a teacher in the profession as I have ever met. Kind, generous, thoughtful, unassuming, and warm, Ken was a joy to work with. I became very fond of him and (I think) him of me. I shall miss him, but I hope his spirit of sweet kindness will live on in the department and university.
Laurel Lowrie Ross
December 13, 2021
I am so sorry to learn of Ken passing. He was a lovely person, always positive and cheerful. Though we were cousins I did not know him well but the times I did run into him it was always a fun and delightful experience.
My heart goes out to all the family and friends. I wish I had known him better.
Camille Scrip
December 12, 2021
Ken was one of my favorite patients, I will miss seeing him. Sending much love to your family.
Loretta and Charles Rhodes
December 12, 2021
Joanne,
Although it has been many years since we first met you and Ken, we remember you both with fondness. I saw him periodically when I worked at ARUP and he always greeted me with a warm smile and hello. We are so very sorry to read of his passing. Our sympathies to you, your children and Ken's family. Loretta and Charlie Rhodes
Lindsay Redd
December 12, 2021
Foster family, I am so sorry for your loss. Ken was such a genuine, warm and caring individual with such a wonderful sense of humor. I consider myself very fortunate to know and have spent time with you all. My heart is broken. My thoughts are with you.
Carl Kjeldsberg
December 11, 2021
You were a good friend, Ken. Gillean and I will miss you.
Tony Romney
December 11, 2021
Joanne, Matt and the rest of the family, our deepest condolences. Every time I ran into Ken, he always had a smile to greet me. Big hugs to all of you. Our whole family mourns his passing.
GINA R FISHER
December 10, 2021
Ken was a wonderful friend, mentor and teacher.
Nolo Bustos
December 10, 2021
Ken.. you were more influential on my life and you probably realized. My time in your class with my close friend Nick were some of the best times I had in college. God bless you and your family and thank you for everything that you did for me your friendship and your mentorship... It was a pleasure working with you outside of the classroom as well and to come back full circle as I was going through business school to guest lecture again was a highlight of my life.
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