About
Robert Foster Obituary
Robert was the beloved husband of Mary Kaye Foster, nee Baker, whom he married on June 8 th , 1968, in their hometown of Evansville, Indiana. The couple had two daughters, Elizabeth (Kevin) Lomax, and Karen (Mark) Goedert. They have a granddaughter, Annemarie Goedert.
Robert was the dear brother of John (Patricia) Foster, and Raymond (Deborah) Foster. He was the fond uncle of five nieces, four nephews, and numerous great nieces and nephews. Robert was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nancy Foster, and his sister, Ann (Tom) Novotny.
Robert held a master's degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He was a software engineer at AT&T Bell Laboratories in Naperville, Illinois for 32 years. He later worked as an independent software consultant for 10 years, and was Chief Technical Officer of start-up company TextPower for 15 years. He held three patents for innovations in telecommunications technology.
For 34 years, Robert refereed high school football on weekends with the same crew, the members of which became lifelong friends. Robert served three terms as president of the Athletic Officials Association, the oldest officiating organization of its kind in the United States. He also refereed for three years in the Arena Football League, as well as being a member of the Chicago Bears chain crew for over twenty years. In 2008, he was inducted into the Athletic Officials Hall of Fame.
Robert loved spending winters in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he enjoyed hiking and playing golf.
Visitation will be held at Williams Kampp Funeral Home, 430 E Roosevelt Road in
Wheaton, Illinois from 3:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, March 16 th , 2026.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on March 17 th , 2026, at St. James the
Apostle Catholic Church in Glen Ellyn.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Catholic Education Foundation of
Joliet Diocese, or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
430 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187
Make a Donation
in Robert Foster's name
People and places connected with Robert
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Robert's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Robert Foster's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
