Robert Milton “Bob” Foster, of Plainville, Kansas, passed away on April 16, 2023, at the Ascension Via Christi Village in Hays, Kansas, at the age of 91. He was born on August 19, 1931, the third oldest of 15 children, to Clarence Alfred and Lea Elda (Allen) Foster in Hoxie, Kansas.
Bob grew up in Hoxie until the age of 14 when the family moved to Lenora, KS. He graduated from Lenora High School with the Class of 1950. After high school he continued working with his dad at Foster Water Well Drilling until 1951 when he enlisted in the US Airforce at San Antonio, TX. He served in Korea and ended in Wichita Falls, TX. In 1954 he went to Barber College in Amarillo, TX and practiced in Wichita Falls for 5 years. He then went to work in the oil field for Jones & Laughlin in Wichita Falls until 1968. He then moved to Hill City, KS where he worked for Northwestern Pump & Supply. In 1975 work took him to Plainville, where he worked until the company resolved. He worked for 25 years for Northwestern Pump & Supply until retirement.
Bob was a member of the American Legion – Gardner, VFW – Plainville, and Senior Center – Plainville.
Bob was a dedicated hard worker, but he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, playing cards, and spending time with all his grandchildren. He loved to teach hunter safety to young kids – boys and girls. In 1977, he received the Master Hunter Safety Instructor of the year. Bob loved hunting with his sons, especially the one adventure that took him elk hunting in Colorado where he bagged his first elk. Bob loved to go fishing with anyone, but especially his grandchildren. Bob never knew a stranger; he could talk to anyone and was always telling jokes.
Bob lived his last year at Via Christi in Hays. His last wish was to be baptized and it was fulfilled on the morning of his passing with his children and family by his side. His faith in God was not only a source of strength for himself, but also for all who knew him.
He is survived by his sons, Les (Tina) Foster, Edgerton and Bill (Kim) Foster, Plainville; daughter, Bertie (Dale) Meder, Hays, Kansas; siblings: Thelma Beagley of Kansas City, MO, Gloria Schmidtten of Gladstone, MO, Erma Allison of Cedar Rapids, IA, Vernon Foster of Topeka, KS, and Clarence Foster of Olsburg, KS; 11 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Lea; son, Robert Foster; daughter, Margaret Ganoung; siblings: Lyle Foster, Lawrence Foster, Gordon Foster, Helen Bivens, Floyd Foster, Marilyn Miles, Eleanor Esslinger, Dorothy Vaughn, and Howard Foster; grandson, Cody Lee Ganoung; and the mother of his children, Beverly (McGregor) Foster.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at 10:30 AM at the First Christian Church in Plainville. Inurnment will follow at the Plainville Cemetery. A book signing will be available of Friday, 2PM until 8PM with the family receiving friends 6PM until 8PM at the funeral home in Plainville.
Memorials are suggested to Rooks County Hunter Ed-Instructors or Kansas Honor Flight and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.