WC/RW/NWA Capt. Robert Hall Foster

~ IN MEMORY ~

WC/RW(NWA) Capt. Robert Hall Foster

March 21, 1924 ~ August 14, 2016

Word has reached us with the passing of retired Republic now Northwest pilot Captain Robert Hall Foster, age 92.  Captain Foster first joined West Coast Airlines 04-22-1957, made the various mergers and retired with Republic in 1982 as noted in his obituary below.  Captain Foster was widowed in March of 2007 with the passing of his wife Helen.  For those wishing to contact the family, perhaps the best way would be by email...their son Ron Foster can be reached at rhf1924@aol.com  A memorial service for Captain Foster will be held Saturday, September 17th at Edmonds United Methodist Church in Edmonds, Washington.  Phone: (425) 778-2119. 

Should we receive further information we will be sure to update our memorial site.

            Thank you,

                ~ Carol for the PCN 

Captain Robert Hall Foster

March 21, 1924 – August 14, 2016

Robert was born in Portland, Oregon on March 21, 1924 to Robert and Magdalene Foster. As a teenager, he worked with his uncles in the construction trade, learning much about building and carpentry. His true love, however, was aviation. At the age of 12 he received his first ride in an airplane, an open cockpit biplane.  After that he was hooked.

In 1942, after graduating from Lincoln High School, Robert entered the Naval Aviation Cadet program and traveled to Bend, Oregon for flight training. It was there that he learned to fly in a Piper J3 Cub. He was then sent to Naval Flight School in Corpus Christi, Texas where he earned his wings. At the age of 19, he was in command of a PV-2 Harpoon patrol bomber based at Curacao in the South Caribbean, flying anti-submarine patrols while protecting the Panama Canal shipping lanes.

On August 16, 1944, while on leave in Chicago, Robert married the love of his life, Helen Ensor. They would make their first home in Beaufort, South Carolina. When the war was over, they would return to Portland where they would raise a family.

Robert went back to working in construction, but he still kept his hand in aviation, flying the P2-V Neptune and PB-4Y Privateer in the Naval Reserves. He was called back to active duty at the start of the Korean War. He was based at Okinawa, Japan, flying patrols in a P2-V Neptune in the South China Sea. After that war was over, he again went back to working construction, but what he really wanted to do was fly.

 In 1957 he was hired by West Coast Airlines, beginning a 25-year career as an airline pilot. Aircraft flown during his career were the DC-3, F-27 and DC-9. In 1960, he was transferred to Seattle, where the family would finally settle. Three company name changes (Air West, Hughes Air West, Republic) and mergers later, he would retire as a Captain for Republic Airlines in 1982.

After retirement, he stayed quite busy. He and Helen were very active in the First United Methodist Church of Seattle. With Helen’s love of music, they became members of the Seattle Opera Guild, traveling to Europe and touring many historic sites and homes of the old Grand Masters of Opera.

He bought a boat and christened it the Sitting Duck (the nickname of retired Republic Airlines pilots) and he enjoyed many fishing trips and “nice boat rides” (no fish) with his children and grandchildren.

Robert was a man of integrity who set an unwavering example of what the “Greatest Generation” was all about. Honor and respect and be true to your word. Work hard and take care of your family.

He was preceded in death by his son Richard and wife Helen. He leaves behind his son Gary (Ina) of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, daughter Janice of Oceanside, California, son Ronald (Kathy) of Mukilteo, Washington, and grandchildren Richard, Bryan and Stephanie.

A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, September 17^th at 2:00 at the Edmonds United Methodist Church – 828 Caspers St. Edmonds WA 98020. Phone: (425) 778-2119

Donations can be made in his name to the Puget Sound Honor Flight  http://pugetsoundhonorflight.org/   

“And when the goals are reached at last,
When all the flying's done,
I'll answer Him with no regret-
Indeed, I had some fun.
So when these things are asked of me,
And I can reach no higher,
My prayer this day - His hand extends
To welcome home a Flyer.”

 ----------------------------------------

Wife Helen's obituary............................Helen Caroline FOSTER (1925-2007)

It is with great sadness that the family of Helen Caroline Foster of Edmonds, WA announces her passing on Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the age of 81. Helen is survived by her husband of 62 years, Robert; sons, Gary (Ina), of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Ronald (Kathy) of Mukilteo WA, and daughter, Janice, of Oceanside, CA, and three grandchildren, Richard, Bryan, and Stephanie. She was preceded in death by her son, Richard. Helen was born in Portland, OR on April 27, 1925 to Herbert and Juanita Ensor. She was blessed with an exceptional singing voice, and had a passionate love and understanding of opera and classical music. As a young woman, she performed many times in plays and musicals in the Portland area where she was even offered her own radio program. She sang in many church choirs over the years and she especially enjoyed her time singing with the SnoKing Chorale, where she made many lasting friends who shared her love of vocal music. She was a long time member of the Seattle Opera Guild and enjoyed attending many operas with her husband, Robert. She was well traveled, having taken several trips to Europe where she was able to visit the graves and birthplaces of many of the great composers of the music she loved so much. Her life was her family, her music, and her pets, and she also leaves behind her special cat, Harry. We all will miss you, but we take comfort in knowing that you are at peace and free at last. A Memorial Service in Memory of Helen will be held on Thursday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Seattle, 1013 Eighth Avenue, Seattle WA. In lieu of flowers, those who so desire may make memorial donations in memory of Helen Foster to Providence Hospice and Home Care of Snohomish County, 2731 Wetmore, Suite 500, Everett, WA 98201.

From: Ray Dahl    Sent: Thursday, August 25, 2016 7:45 PM   Subject: Captain Robert Foster passing

I regret to inform you that my dad passed away this last Sunday morning at Swedish Hospital in Edmonds, Washington

Ron Foster

Hi Ray,

We have set the date and location for my father's memorial service. It will be Saturday, 17 September at 2:00 at the Edmonds United Methodist Church in Edmonds, WA. The address is 828 Caspers Street in Edmonds.

Edmonds United Methodist Church

Saturday, 17 September at 14:00

828 Caspers Street

Edmonds, WA

Phone: (425) 778-2119

There will be an obituary forthcoming at a later date. Maybe you could get the word out?

Donations in his name can be made to the Puget Sound Honor Flight http://pugetsoundhonorflight.org/  

He and I and 62 other WWII veterans made that flight a year ago in March and it is something I will never forget.

Thanks,
Ron Foster