Rev. Robert C. Foster, CSV, died Tuesday, April 25, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. in Henderson, Nevada. Fr. Foster was 74. He was born in Chicago, Illinois on August 17, 1931 and was the son of the late Robert E. and Corinne (Campion) Foster. Fr. Foster was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Nancy Foster.
Fr. Foster professed First Vows as a Viatorian on September 8, 1952 and Final Vows on September 8, 1955. He was ordained to the priesthood in Joliet, Illinois by Bishop McNamara on May 28, 1960.
Fr. Foster graduated from Fenwick High School, Oak Park, Illinois in 1949. He earned a B.A. in Sociology from Loyola University (Chicago) in 1954, an M.A. in Education and Administration from Bradley University in 1961 and an M.S. in Counseling from Loyola University (Baltimore) in 1983.
His first assignment was Spalding Institute in Peoria Illinois (1954-1956) as teacher of English and Social Studies. He then was assigned to St. Benedict High School in Chicago (1960-1961) to teach Religion and serve as Counselor. He returned to Spalding Institute (1961-1966) as an English teacher and Assistant Principal. From there, he went to Alleman High School, Rock Island, Illinois where he served as Assistant Principal (1966-1967) and Principal (1967-1973). He attended Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California (1973-1974) before being assigned as Co-Director of the Center for Religion and Life in Reno, Nevada (1974-1975). He was pastor of Our Lady of Wisdom Church in Reno (1975-1976), St. Joseph Church in Springfield, Illinois (1976-1982), Immaculate Conception Church in Kankakee, Illinois (1985-1986), and St. Peter and Paul Church, Tucson, Arizona (1986-1987). He served as Chaplain at St. Joseph Hospital in Tucson, Arizona (1987-1997). In 1997, Fr. Foster retired to Las Vegas, Nevada where he resided until his death.
The funeral Mass was held at the Viatorian Province Center in Arlington Heights on Tuesday, May 2, 2006 at 4:00 p.m. in the Province Center chapel. Dinner followed in the Province Center dining room.
Please remember our brother Bob in your Masses and prayers.
Taken from letter to the Viatorians Community on April 27, 2006 from the Provincial, Rev. Thomas R. von Behren, CSV