Ronnie Delano Foster

1942 - 2025

Nov. 2, 1942-Jan. 31, 2025
Tiger, GA – Ronnie Delano Foster, 83, of Tiger, Ga., died in his home on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025.
Visitation was at 9:30 a.m. and the service was at 10 a.m. on Feb. 5, 2025, at Beck Funeral Home in Clayton, Ga.
Ronnie was born Nov. 2, 1941, in Columbus, Ga., the son of the late Walter and Frances Peugh Foster. Ronnie grew up in Columbus and graduated from high school in 1959. In 1963, Ronnie graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and in 1971 he graduated from Indiana University with an MBA. Throughout his career, Ronnie worked on several then-classified projects. At Boeing, Ronnie joined the work on the high-profile engineering space program that landed the first man on the moon. At Magnavox, he worked in a secure, limited access lab of the Electronic Warfare Department designing radar systems to prevent aircraft from being shot out of the sky by surface-air missiles. Also at Magnavox, Ronnie served as project engineer on a radar system for the SR-71 Blackbird, the strategic reconnaissance aircraft, and received the opportunity to deliver a unit to Lockheed Skunk Works in Pasadena, CA. At more than one company, Ronnie was given the task of establishing the engineering department, which meant he started his job with an empty office and a stack of resumes. These many experiences taught Ronnie the value of quality, both in life and in business. In 1996, Ronnie formed RDF Services to provide quality consulting services. He dissolved this company upon retiring in 2004, but soon-thereafter took a part-time adjunct professor position at Emmanuel College teaching entry-level business courses. His hope was to play a small part in preparing the next generation to take the helm in the business world. He also began investing personal time and skills into the Rabun Aid Program; summer after summer, he invited several grandchildren who eagerly participated in RAP alongside him. In his free time, Ronnie studied numerous works of C.S. Lewis, eventually writing and leading a Sunday School series at his church on Mere Christianity. Ronnie served as one of the founding members at Truth Chapel, a local nondenominational church in Clayton, Ga.
Ronnie was preceded in his death by his loving wife of 45 years, Linda Lee Foster and his sister, Gloria Jean Foster. He is survived by his two children, Renée Foster Coleman (Jamey) of Ellijay, Ga., and David Foster (Wanda) of Canton, Ga.; his eight grandchildren, Alexandria Coleman Fortenberry (Tyler), Stormey Coleman, Christian Coleman (Payton), Austin Foster (Alex), Jeremiah Coleman, Cole Foster, Dylan Foster (Erin) and Ty Foster; and his brother-in- law, Ronald Morrow, of Piedmont, Ala.
Ronnie/Dad/Dada, thank you for the memories. Thank you for leaving a legacy that taught us all the values of quality and intentionality. We love you forever and, though we deeply miss you, we are so glad that you made it home.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is honored to serve the family of Ronnie Delano Foster. Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
The Clayton Tribune
February 6, 2025