Robert (Bob) Russell Foster, MD, of Winchester, MA and Sunapee, NH died on April 19, 2018 due to complications from Parkinsons. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 9 at 2:00 PM at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Gould Road, New London with a reception to follow. Bob was born July 22, 1937 in Cambridge, MA to Margaret Persons Foster and LeBaron Russell Foster of Princeton, NJ. He attended the Lawrenceville School before going toHarvard University. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in biochemistry, he wrestled and played football, becoming a Phi Beta Kappa scholar and receiving the William J. Bingham Award for the outstanding athlete and leader of the senior class. He was later inducted into the Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Fame for wrestling. After Harvard Medical School and one year of residency in orthopedics at Roosevelt Hospital in New York, Bob married Laura Beth Mason of Seattle, WA. He then joined the Air Force and was stationed at the Academy in Colorado Springs. After completing medical training at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Bob moved to Winchester, MA to raise a family. He built a private practice, working at Symmes Hospital in Arlington, and at Mt Auburn Hospital in Cambridge where he served as Chief of Orthopedics for 20 years, retiring in 2002. He then made his permanent home in Sun apee, NH. Retirement saw Bob pursuing renewed interest in golf and investing in new passions including photography, musicology and wildflowers. Bob was by nature a gifted student who pursued academic, athletic, and intellectual endeavors with characteristic discipline, focus and rigor. He loved jazz, played it often, and enjoyed sharing and discus sing it with friends, family and the occasional stranger. Bob is survived by his wife Laura Beth of 52 years; two sons Jeffrey (Valerie) Foster of Flagstaff, AZ and Campbell (Elizabeth) Foster of Lafayette, CA; two grandchildren Makena, and Kiana; two grandchildren Lindsay and Tate; and brother Peter (Marbie) Foster of Bangor, ME. His brother Warren William Foster of Atwater, CA predeceased him. Memorial contributions may be made to The Fells, P.O. Box 276, Newbury, NH 03255; or Lake Sunapee Protective Association, 63 Main Street, Sunapee, NH 03782. To sign an online guestbook please visit www.chadwick funeralservice.com.

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Published by The Winchester Star from Apr. 24 to May 3, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Foster

Sponsored by Chadwick Funeral and Cremation Service, LLC - New London.

28 Entries

Tina Conlon

May 15, 2025

Dr Foster fixed my broken leg with great restraint. But, what I also remember is the 7 days in the hospital, every day he reset my bones/cast he sang me a different Brahams piece because he said my taste in music needed upgrading. He was a gifted surgeon and a caring person.

John Denton

April 17, 2025

I still remember Bob's teaching principles and try to emulate them when I have my Live Stream sessions with the orthopaedic residents twice a week. Best, John Denton

Jim Cole

April 18, 2024

He was a great one! Calm without being silenced, erudite without being arrogant, encouraging without being dominating. He was our senior resident and then chief resident in '70 -'72.

John Denton

April 17, 2024

Bob was one of the best. He set me on the right path in orthopaedic surgery when I was a junior resident in 1969.

Leslie Kirwan

August 14, 2023

I just learned of Dr. Foster´s passing. He performed surgery on both my feet in 1975, when I was just about to enter Harvard College. I haven´t had a moment´s problem with my feet in the intervening four decades, and I am so grateful for his skill and kindness.

Mike

July 7, 2021

I was 13 in 1975 and got hit by a car. Dr Foster put me back together but what I remember most of as that he was a kind and caring man. Just the type of doctor that a scared 13 year old boy needed. RIP Dr Foster

Kathleen Novello Ellis

April 5, 2019

I've only now learned of Dr Bob Foster's death last year.
I send my condolences to his family and friends. On April 1, 1973, I was involved in a head on collision. I was taken to Mt Auburn Hospital by ambulance. I met Dr Bob Foster in the ER. I was 22 years old. He calmly informed me of my injuries and what he would be doing in the ER. I spent the next 54 days in Mt Auburn Hosp under his care, most of that time in skeletal traction. He saw me all but one of those 54 days. My mother was hospitalized with pneumonia at Symmes Hospital at the same time, so Dr Bob would visit each of us every day and report back to us. He did this not because he had too, but because he had a kind heart. Yes, in time I mended well, but I never forgot Dr Bob, his amazing skills, compassion and his good nature. As we go through life, we can count on one hand those people, once strangers who will always be remembered as the "great ones" who helped us through dark times. Dr Bob is high on that list.
Soar with the eagles, Dr Bob Foster!

John Denton

January 11, 2019

Bob was my senior resident and then Chief Resident at the New York Orthopaedic Hospital, 1969-71. He was truly outstanding-one of the finest residents with which I was associated in my forty-five years of orthopaedic education. He was not only an excellent surgeon, but an effective teacher and leader. He will be missed.
Blessings to Bob and his family.

Bob Foster

June 9, 2018

David and I will never forget Bob. He was an outstanding professional and a generous and caring friend.. We were fortunate to have known him. Lee Page

Lee Page

June 9, 2018

David and will never forget Bob. He was an outstanding professional and a generous and caring friend. We were fortunate to have known him.

Nancy McNitt

June 7, 2018

Dear Laura Beth, Jeff and Campbell

I will miss seeing Bob up at Sunapee talking about photography which he dearly loved to do. Rob and I had so much fun with you at Christmas and of course doing your taxes at your home in Winchester-- not to mention going to the Harvard - Yale football games and having the best crab chowder on the Charles River. I had not seen Bob for a while but I know what you had been going through. Will see you at the service.
Love, Nancy

Francis Evans

May 25, 2018

I was very sorry to learn of Bobs passing, both from the Harvard Medical School website and the New London InterTown Record. I did not realize that a HMS classmate of was living in my old home town until recently. I was chief of surgery at New London hospital from 1976 to 1998. I also recall well going
to internship interviews at Roosevelt Hospital with Bob.

This past weekend I was visiting New London for a grandchilds graduation festivities and went to the hospital where I was delighted to see three of Bobs photographs on display. They are truly outstanding.

I will be sure our class recognizes Bobs memory at next weeks 55th Harvard Medical School Class of 1963 reunion. And Im very sorry we never got together at Lake Sunapee.

My sincere sympathy to you and your family.

Francis (Fran) C. Evans, MD

Annie Montgomery

May 12, 2018

So sad for all of us, family, friends, and community.

May 7, 2018

Laura Beth,
Our sincere condolences to you and the boys on Bob's passing. He was such an accomplished man in so many ways, but most importantly as a husband and a father. May his memory be a blessing to you.

Our thoughts are with you,

Joel and Noel Bleier

Alan Ertel

May 5, 2018

Bob was a brilliant and gifted surgeon. He will be missed, but his memory will linger on at Mount Auburn Hospital. It was an honor to have known and worked with him.

May 4, 2018

Dear LauraBeth,
David and I were so very sorry to read about Bob's death in the Winchester Star.
He was such a wonderful guy. Our thoughts are with you and your boys.
Lots of love, Marge Estridge

Jackie Msrchese

May 2, 2018

Thoughts and Prayers are with you during this difficult yime

James and Valerie Bayley

May 2, 2018

Bob will be sorely missed by everyone, especially those of us in the Quigley Society. We had great games of golf with Bob and Laura at Quigley, and it was great fun to play with them as they always made it fun. What a great athlete, scholar and physician. He will be sorely missed by all.

April 29, 2018

Dear Laura Beth,
I loved working with Bob at Symmes as well as getting to know both of you. Ronne and I are saddened by your loss. Please accept our condolences.
Ronne & Jerry Harris

Gerry Dunleavy

April 27, 2018

Laura Beth and family. Sorry to hear of Bob's passing. May he RIP. Best to you all.
Gerry

April 27, 2018

Laura Beth, it was with great sadness that I read of Dr. Foster's passing. I will always have fond memories and high regard for the time we worked together at Mt. Aurburn Hospital. My condolences to you and your family. Emily Ciaurro

Mark and Peggy Sullivan

April 27, 2018

Our sympathy to Laura Beth and family. I had the pleasure of working with Bob at Symmes Hospital beginning in 1977. He was an extremely talented physician and a good friend. My wife Peggy and I are very sorry to hear he has passed away.

Sylvia Larsen

April 27, 2018

Our heartfelt condolences to you in your loss. Bob was a wonderful man and terrific father as evidenced by his children. We hope to share some happy memories together lakeside this summer. Until then, sending love to you and yours, Sylvia & Bob

April 27, 2018

Rest in peace Dr Foster....You were one of the best...Grace Driscoll

John and Lise Richardson

April 25, 2018

Bob was a uniquely talented individual, a great role model, and a wonderful friend. We are so sad at his passing.

Gina Grantham

April 25, 2018

Those we love don't go away. They walk beside us every day. Thinking of you often, Laura Beth.

Bette Shattuck

April 24, 2018

Laura Beth, please accept my condolences on the passing of your beloved husband.

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