Lion Arthur Dwight Foster, 90, passed away at his home surrounded by his family and beloved dog on December 18, 2019. He was born August 14, 1928 in Long Branch, New Jersey to Franklin Dwight Foster and Helen Gregory Fitch. Arthur attended The Lawrenceville School and later Brown University, graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering with Phi Beta Kappa honors. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, and as navigator bombardier with the 452d Bomb Wing, flew 55 combat missions over North Korea in a B-26 tagged “A haulin’ Ass”. Arthur was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as The Air Medal for his service, accomplishments which he and his family were always most proud. He was honorably discharged at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
Arthur returned home to join his father in the family business, Manifold Supply Company, in Brooklyn, NY in 1952. There he met and fell in love with Marilyn Garrett – a stewardess with United Airlines. They married on September 22, 1956, and a few years later moved to Garden City, New York with their three young children. After Manifold Supply Co. was sold in 1968 the family moved to Colorado, realizing Arthur’s dream of a life in the country with horses and mountains and wide open spaces. They joined Valley Country Club, introduced the family to alpine skiing, and loved life in beautiful Colorado outdoors.
Arthur was active in the Lions Club of Denver, where he took on a leadership role as head of the board of Savio House, a non-profit organization dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of children and families. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Savio House in 1997. Along with his late second wife, Sandra Town, he became an active supporter and advocate for The American Cancer Society, Diabetes, The American Heart Association, The Colorado Ballet, and various animal welfare organizations.
Arthur was passionate about dogs (Golden Retrievers and Great Danes), flying (he had his commercial and acrobatic ratings as a private pilot), golf (handicap remains a mystery), the Broncos (as a season ticket holder since 1969), a good martini (Bombay Sapphire), and above all, spending time with his family. His three children survive Arthur, JD (Elizabeth) Foster, Karen Foster, and Lynn (David) Eikenberry, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and two more on the way.
Military service was held on Thursday, January 3rd at Fort Logan Cemetery. Present was Fort Logan’s Honor Guard, honoring him with a seven-man rifle volley, playing of taps, and seven gongs on the Honor Bell. This was followed by a ceremonial folding of the American Flag draping his casket, which was then formally presented to his daughter, Karen Foster. She would later say that afternoon that she has now lost one of the finest human beings she’ll ever know. Anyone lucky enough to have known Arthur Foster would no doubt agree.
