Richard Hutchins Foster

1934 - 2024

Richard Hutchins Foster
08/30/1934 - 08/13/2024
One of the original founders of Foster City, Richard Hutchins Foster, died on August 13, 2024, from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
His midwestern roots, sense of humor, love of sports, and dedication to his family defined who he was to the end.
The youngest of three sons, Dick was born in Norman, Oklahoma on August 30, 1934 to T. Jack Foster and Gladys Hutchins Foster.
Dick went to Norman High School, and his favorite memory of that time was during his senior year when he was fullback for the varsity football team, playing a stellar season at the Oklahoma University stadium. He then went to OU, where he studied business and was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.
In 1955, Dick, his father and two brothers established T. Jack Foster and Sons, a real estate development firm.
Driving a pink Thunderbird, Dick's first job with the company was developing an apartment complex in El Paso, Texas. While working on that project he met his first wife, Sally Bender, who remained a close friend even after divorce.
Dick then moved to Honolulu to oversee the construction of the Foster Tower Hotel, the tallest building on Oahu. From there he relocated to the Bay Area and worked with his family completing the development of Foster City.
The company was renamed Foster Enterprises, which continued to do various projects in the Bay Area including constructing The Towers, a high-rise condominium building in San Mateo, where Dick and his brother T. Jack, Jr. lived.
Sports were always a part of Dick's life. He was an avid tennis player, making his second home at the Peninsula Tennis Club in Burlingame, where for a time he served as president.
In 1984, Dick married Deanna Weidner. Together they played tennis in Mexico with the Osuna Cup, and also traveled the world with People to People Tennis Tours, fostering international goodwill. Dick was predeceased by Deanna in 2021.
Dick served on the board and generously donated to the San Mateo County General Hospital formerly the Harold D. Chope Community Hospital. Years later in their Ron Robertson Senior Care Center, Dick was diagnosed with and received excellent care for his Alzheimer's. It delighted him to see a plaque on the waiting room wall thanking him and Deanna for their generosity.
The Norman, Oklahoma mayor's office has recognized August 30th as Richard Hutchins Foster Day.
Dick is survived by his older brother, T. Jack Foster, Jr.; his former wife Sally Bender Foster; their four children and spouses, Richard Hutchins Foster, Jr. and Michael Shepperd, Todd Bender Foster and Patricia Brayer Foster, Julia Alyce Foster and Robert Matthew, and Sara Jane Foster and Richard McDerby; two stepsons, Kurt Weidner and Mark Weidner; and twelve grandchildren, Ashley, Theodore, Jonah, Richard III, Benjamin, Sebastian, Amelia, Gracie, Quentin, Maxwell, Julian and Jude.
There wasn't a person who met Dick Foster who didn't like him. He will be remembered for his humor, generosity and eternal optimism.
A service of remembrance will be held at Burlpres Church in Burlingame, on what would have been his 90th birthday, August 30th at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Ron Robinson Senior Care Center (smchf.org/ron-robinson-donation) in loving memory of Dick.