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Richard W. Foerster

Richard Foerster Obituary

The Lord quickly called Richard W. Foerster unto Himself on Sept. 3, 2006 at the age of 77, minus one week. Richard was born in Santa Cruz on Sept. 10, 1929 to Timothy and Daphne Foerster.

Richard attended Gault School, the old Branciforte elementary/jr.high school, and graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1948. His passions in high school were his '32 Ford hot rod and playing football. The passion for football carried over to playing football for the semi-pro team of Santa Cruz Seahawks for a short time after graduation from high school and he continued to watch football until the date of his death.

In 1951 at the request of "Uncle Sam" Richard spent two years in Okinawa during the Korean conflict, courtesy of the U.S. Army. After release from the service, he attended Monterey Peninsula College and graduated from Chico State in 1957.

Richard joined the Santa Cruz Police Department in the summer of 1957 by walking the Beach-Boardwalk "beat". He worked in various departments at the police department and retired in 1984 as Deputy Chief.

He had served on the Board of Directors and President of the Retired Public Employees Association. He was a member of Santa Cruz Community Church and previously a long-time member of Twin Lakes Church.

Richard is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Margaret Thorp Foerster; sister, Pat Mosley, and numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by brother Tim Foerster; sister Joyce Stevenson; sister, Suzette Needles.

Celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, Sept 9, 2006 at Santa Cruz Community Church, 411 Roxas St., Santa Cruz. Visitation will be held Friday, Sept. 8, 2006 from 4 pm to 7 pm at Oakwood Memorial Chapel. Interment will be private at Oakwood Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions are preferred to any church or charity of your choice.

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Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel from Sep. 6 to Sep. 7, 2006.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Foerster

26 Entries

Pat Mosley / Susan Hein

October 9, 2006

Uncle Richard,
You will always have a special place in our hearts. Your playful disposition, kind heart and wisdom will be forever missed. No one could have asked for a better brother or uncle. Please give Grandma, Grandpa, Bud & Suzette a big hug from all of us. We love you.
Pat, Greg, Susan & David

Diana Larson

October 5, 2006

Dick,
I will really miss you. I don't know how many people know how much you loved cats. You were always there to take care of ours when we went away and you were just the most kind gentle person anyone could want to know. I know you are happy up in heaven. See you someday. Margaret we share in your sorry for the loss of Dick and just pray that as each day passes the sorrow is lessened.
Love, Diana Larson

Terri Harms

September 26, 2006

Uncle Richard,
You have been the best uncle ever. You are my soft cuddly kindhearted pillsbury doughboy. I remember Sunday afternoon dinners as a teenager and looking forward to riding on the back of your motorcycle. I always liked going last, because my ride was always longer.I loved going to the yacht harbor and watching the sailboats come in. I loved christmas day with you wearing your santa hat.I will miss all the teasing and the jokes we would do to each other. I asked you once why you teased me so much, and you said "the more you were teased the more you were loved". Thank you for all the teasing. Please give Mom, Bosko, Gramma, Grampa, Uncle Charles, my cats Misty & Hobbes, and my dog Hana big hugs and kisses for me. You will be missed more and more each day. I love you. Terri

Robert Noonan

September 15, 2006

Dick was a great guy to work with as an ADA for many years in Santa Cruz. He was always easy going, good natured, professional and had a sense of humor along with a lot of common sense. He was a credit to his profession and his department.

Rick & Lynda Lofvendahl

September 11, 2006

Dick would have been a special person no mater what his chosen profession was, but he chose to be a public servant, and that he was. He "raised" many fine police officers during his lifetime and his influence was spread far and wide. He was our mentor, but more important, he was our friend. For a tough guy, he always had a twinkle in his eye.

Jim Skinner

September 8, 2006

I really don't know what to say. Dick was a great guy to work for. I was shocked when I heard the news. He will be greatly missed. He provided me with many good days with his humerous wit.

Keith Duel

September 8, 2006

Dick, my special friend and good buddy. I will miss you and am so very grateful for all the time we had together. The twenty seven years that we worked together and the thoughts and ideas that we shared regarding work and also the personal things we shared meant so much and I will always remember you for so very much more. Goodby for now my good friend and buddy, I'll see you again someday. Until then so long Dick, I'll miss you.

Keith

JIM THOMAS

September 8, 2006

Dick was a special man of His God...I knew him from my early childhood as he was close to my Brother Don Thomas and my sister Lois. I remember him as a policeman for Santa Cruz as I was a deputy for Santa cruz County. He was a real man's man.

Bob Hennig

September 8, 2006

Dick was many things to me. Father figure, mentor, coach, teacher, confidant, and most of all, friend. Whether talking about football, police work, or arguing over who got more raviolis at Nick's, Dick was always a joy to have as company.

I have never heard anyone say an unkind word about Dick. Everyone who knew him was a better person from it. Simply put, Dick was the most decent man I have ever met. I will miss him.

Ron Hill

September 7, 2006

Whether Richard was coaching Pop Warner football or moving pianos, he made tiresome tasks interesting, if not humorous, and provided a rare insight into the follies of my father. Rest in peace, coach.

Nanci Mason

September 7, 2006

Uncle Richard,

You have been the best uncle ever. As teens, all us nieces and nephews had our turn sitting next to you at the Sunday mid day meal, and had you nudge us with your elbow, and ask in a whisper, "who are you dating this week?" Your playful disposition and kind heart will be missed forever. I hope your giving Mom and Bosko, Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Charles big hugs right now.

Nanci Mason (El Dorado Hills, CA)

[email protected]

Mark and Lois Jennings

September 7, 2006

So glad that we got to spend time with both Dick and Maggie this summer at Mt Hermon, and at the Southern Gospel festival in Fresno this year. It's just a reminder to treasure times that we spend with friends, especially long time friends. Our love and prayers go to Maggie.

Mike & Linda Dunbaugh

September 7, 2006

Dick meant a ton to Linda and I. His guidance, mentoring, support and friendship were all given freely and sincerely. In particular, he was a stalwart wall during hard times that the rest of us could lean on. If God needed another peace officer, he just received one of the best. Miss your presence here already. Mike and Linda Dunbaugh

Debbie Topping

September 7, 2006

How sad I should find this as I was thinking about the Chief just the other day. Such a kind man -- I can still see his smiling face leaning over my counter in dispatch. I know many will remember him fondly. Goodnight Chief.

September 7, 2006

Tisha Byrd-Jones

September 7, 2006

"A GREAT MAN SHOW HIS GREATNESS BY THE WAY HE TREATS THE LITTLE MAN."

Dick Foerster was a, GREAT MAN. A true inspiration to all he came in contact with.

Dick, you left a, FOOTPRINT, in my life and I am truly greatful.

Tisha Byrd Jones

Diane Strong

September 7, 2006

The typical nod of his head and "Hi, kid," to acknowledge that he recognized me is something I'll miss. And...HOW he made me laugh! He was a Study in Understatement - I'm so thankful that I'll see him again one day.

Evelyn Henry

September 6, 2006

Dick, you will be greatly missed.

I will always remember your wise

mentoring, and kind nature. It

was a pleasure and an honor to

have known you.

Andy Crain

September 6, 2006

Dick was a mentor to lots of young officers and I was one who benefited from his wisdom and humor. I am sorry for the loss to his family and friends.

Jay and Nancy Sharmer

September 6, 2006

Dick was known in this family as "Cuddles" because he liked to present a stern exterior, but inside he was planning something funny.

From the time I met Richard when I was a dishwasher at the old Spivey's 5-Spot, he always had good advice for my many teenage problems, such as getting too many tickets. From that point on all through my police career he was a true friend and was a pleasure to be around.

There are way too few good guys left and he was one of the best and will be greatly missed by everyone.

David Larson

September 6, 2006

Dick was a professional police officer and a very special man. We had many good times at work and off-duty. He taught me much about life. He was a friend & mentor. I will be missed him. He frequently told oficers he worked with the following: "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." Goodby friend.

Joe Haebe

September 6, 2006

Dick, you will be missed. Thanks for being one of the solid building blocks in my early police career.

Yvonne Cerruti

September 6, 2006

Dick was a very special friend. I feel badly that I could not say goodbye. I'll miss him. My sympathy to his family.

Yvonne Cerruti

September 6, 2006

Dick was a very special friend. I feel badly that I could not say goodbye. I'll miss him.

George DisbrowCoos Bay Or

September 6, 2006

So Sorry for your loss. I cosidered Dick my oldest and best friend. Will miss him. Love to you

Gerald and Betty McCorkle

September 6, 2006

We go way back with Rich and Margaret, and have many, many wonderful memories that we treasure. We are thankful that we will one day see him again. God has promised that.

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