Richard E. Foster

May 28, 1944 - Nov. 28, 2020

Resident of Milpitas

Richard “Rich” Foster, 76, a husband, father, grandfather, satellite engineer, and 48 year resident of Santa Clara County, died after a prolonged illness on November 28, 2020 at Santa Clara, CA.

Rich was born to John and Avis Foster in Providence, RI on May 28, 1944 and moved to the Bay Area as a small child. He married Jean Tait on Jun 26, 1965, then graduated with a Math degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1966. Immediately after graduating Rich went into the US Air Force emerging with the rank of Captain in 1971. Rich’s sons William and Kenneth were born respectively on Dec 7, 1970 and Feb 18, 1974. Rich and his family moved to San Jose in 1972, where he began his career in the aerospace industry (GE Aerospace to Martin Marietta to Lockheed). Rich lost his first wife Jean quite suddenly in Oct 1994. He retired from Lockheed in May 1999 and married second wife Katherine McGrath on Jul 31, 1999. Marrying later in life, Rich and Katie knew they would have no children together, but they would have grandchildren. So with great joy, they welcomed their grandsons Jack, Sam, Tristan, Andrew, and Alex between 2000 and 2010.

Rich was a lifelong fan of kids’ baseball. He played in a Boy Scouts league as a kid, then he stepped up to umpire for San Jose’s North Valley Little League for almost 20 years. Rich’s stepping up to umpire was indicative of his approach to life. Whenever something needed to be done, Rich was there making sure it got done and done right and usually with great wit and sarcasm, which were big parts of his charm. He will be deeply missed by his many friends and family.

Rich is survived by wife Katherine (nee McGrath); sons William (Joy) and Kenneth Foster; stepson David (Lupe) Steele; grandsons Jack, Sam, and Andrew Foster and Tristan and Alexander Steele; brothers Stephen and Robert Foster, and many nieces and nephews. Rich is predeceased by first wife Jean (nee Tait) and siblings John, Arlene, and Thomas Foster.

During this time of COVID, a meaningful memorial service for Rich just isn’t possible. So we’re planning a Celebration of Life sometime next year. If it is safe by May, our current thinking is to hold Rich’s celebration near his birthday in May. If desired, folks may make memorial contributions to San Jose National Little League (3623 Slater Court, San Jose, CA 95132) or to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate).