Robert Foster

February 23, 1942 – September 23, 2012

Robert W. Foster, 70, resident of Milford, NH, died unexpectedly on September 23, 2012, while hiking on Pack Monadnock Mountain in Temple, NH.

He was born in Natick, MA on February 23, 1942, a son of Forest A. and Annabelle (Hudson) Foster, and was the youngest of eight children.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Northeastern University and his Master’s in Education from Notre Dame College, Manchester, NH. In addition, he received his Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study from the University of New Hampshire.

Mr. Foster made his home in the Amherst and Milford area for more than 40 years.

He had been employed as a pilot for Eastern Airlines for more than 20 years. He later changed careers and began teaching at the Milford Middle School where he taught Social Studies for the past 19 years.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed golfing, kayaking, hiking and mountain climbing. He was a history buff and loved football, especially the New England Patriots, where he had been a season ticket holder for more than 40 years.

He had a great sense of humor, enjoyed traveling and most especially spending time with his family. He could always be found throwing a ball with his own kids, grandkids and neighborhood kids.

Mr. Foster was a U.S. Army veteran and served as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. His numerous medals include the Gallantry Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with 24 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was honorably discharged in 1968 with the rank of Captain.

Family members include his wife of 46 years, Elizabeth A. (Calyer) Foster of Milford; two sons, John C. Foster and his partner, Linda Jones of New York City, Robert J. Foster of Milford; a daughter and son-in-law, Heather A. and Eddie Owens of Gorham, ME; three grandchildren, Padraic Owens, Aidan Owens and Emma Owens, all of Gorham, ME; a sister, Mary Jane Russell of Eugene, OR; a brother and sister-in-law, William and Sylvia Foster of Otis, MA; as well as many nieces and nephews with whom he was very close.

He was predeceased by his siblings Marylin, Jerry, Jim, Jack and Dottie.

Memorial visiting hours are Thursday, September 27th from 5:00-8:00 pm in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford. A memorial service with military honors will be held on Friday at 10:00 am in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 20 Elm Street, Milford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To leave an online condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com