W. Paul Foster

February 27, 1938 - July 3, 2018

Paul was born in Independence, Missouri, and later moved with his family to Watsonville, CA where he spent his childhood. His mother died when he was 9, leaving him much of the responsibility of caring for his siblings, Sharon, 5, and Bob, 3. His father owned two grocery stores and a hardware store, and Paul started helping out in the business at an early age. As he grew older, the outdoors became Paul’s great joy, and he explored the Los Padres National Forest with a best friend throughout his high school years. He also went backpacking with his wife Barb and their two children, and later went on vision quests in the Sierras.

Paul attended Cal, Berkeley, and Boalt Law School, and served as Cadet Colonel, commanding 2,000 ROTC students in 1960. He was devoted to his fraternity, AKL, which was a second family for Paul, and presented him with a “Man of Character” award. After graduation, Paul worked in US Army intelligence.

As an attorney, Paul partnered with Blair Burton, an El Cerrito lawyer. He eventually opened his own office in Berkeley, and then in 1981 worked for the faculty at CEB (Continuing Education of the Bar). Two years later, he joined the legal team for Cal Farm Insurance, and 1994, joined USAA Insurance legal until his retirement in 2002.

Paul became the Berkeley Sierra Club’s Program Chair for ten years. He was skilled in navigation and orienteering, literally leaving his mark on the world by correcting published maps on their errors. He was a Boy Scout leader, ran marathons, studied karate, and wrote poetry and fiction throughout his adult life.

He married Barbara in 1965 and they had two children, Scott (Los Angeles) and Laurie (Bay Area), who is now married and has two children. Paul is also survived by his brother Bob Foster of Mariposa, as well as nieces, nephews, and cousins in California, Illinois, and Colorado.

Services will be held on July 21st. at Northbrae Community Church, 941 The Alameda in Berkeley, at 2 p.m. Donations may be made to Ventana Wilderness Alliance or the Sierra Club.