Robert Clinton Foster

Robert Clinton Foster passed away peacefully on March 6, 2021, at the family home. He was born on Feb. 6, 1938, to Jack Wilburn Foster and Leona Belle Foster (Owens). Bob had an older sister named Jackie Lee. His father died when Bob was five days old. His mom remarried to Orville “Bud” Weiser and they added a daughter, Diana Denise (“Dee Dee”).

During his school years he went by Bob Weiser. He went to school in Coeur d’Alene and got his GED in 1956. When he joined the Army Reserves, he went back to using his surname, Bob Foster, and he was a corporal.

Bob met the love of his life in eighth grade, Sharon Carlson. He worked hard at courting her and she finally gave in. Their love was one for the ages, and they were married on March 9, 1957. They had just celebrated their 60th anniversary a few short months before Sharon’s passing in 2017.

They moved to Seattle after they got married and welcomed their first son, Jack William. After a year they moved back to Coeur d’Alene to make it their lifetime home. They added three more kids to the mix during the years, Jay Patrick, Jeffrey Robert and Jodi Lynn.

Bob worked hard so Sharon could be a stay-at-home mom. He was a people person and never knew a stranger. Being a journeyman butcher, he worked for IGA, Rosauers and Albertsons. He designed, and Jay built, the meat plant for Tidyman’s Warehouse Market. He ran the meat department until he left in 1988.

He worked for Star Label/Tri-State Market supply before buying Tri-State with his son, Jay, in 1997. He worked there until he got ill in 2016, and he fully retired the following year. He still would help when needed and kept his mind sharp. He was always doing something or working on some project around the house. He was a handy man around the house, always starting projects and rarely finishing them, but he eventually would because Sharon would nag him to get it done. Mom always said he was a fart in a skillet.

He loved watching Gonzaga Bulldogs men’s basketball games and if they were playing, no one could talk or call him. His total focus was on the game only. In 2018, he and Jeff went to the WCC tournament in Las Vegas for the first time and he was in heaven. He went again in 2019, this time taking his companion, Marlene Evenson, and Jeff. They had a blast! They wanted to go in 2020 but COVID-19 made it impossible.

Bob was an incredible man and father who supported his kids and grandkids in their activities. He supported the boys as they played high school and park and rec sports and motor cross. He played softball and basketball with the boys and treasured his time with them.

When each of the kids turned 1, he would take them on special trips; Jack– salmon fishing, Jay– Seven Devils, Jeff– Canada fishing and Jodi - fishing in Canada with Jay.

They would follow grandkids Angela and Shawna’s high school sports and went to Shawna’s college softball games all around the West Coast. They enjoyed watching Jami dance, Hailey ride horses, and great-grandson, Kason, play soccer, football and basketball.

We were fortunate to have such amazing parents and many of our friends considered our home their second home and our parents as their mom and dad. They never knew how many kids would be sleeping in the living room in the morning.

Bob and Sharon loved to travel. Their adventures included trips to Hawaii and England, cruises, and they loved just getting on the road - going to Reno with Ken and Dee Dee Koep, and to Kansas to travel the area with Ron and Jackie Hoefer. They took several trips to Alaska and Arizona to see Guy and Vicki Forbes. Fishing in Alaska with his best friend, Bill Tosh (deceased), son, Jay and grandson, Mike.

He is survived by his children and spouses: Jack (Heather) of Kalispell, Mont,. Jay (Sandi-Sam), Jeff, Jodi (Mike) Van Dalsen of Coeur d’Alene and Guy and Vicki Forbes and family (Arizona). He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Shawna (KC) McDonald of Kalispell, Mike Foster, Hailey Foster and Jami Main, all in Coeur d’Alene; great-grandson, Kason McDonald; his companion, Marlene Evenson; Ken Koep – brother-in-law and his boys, Bob and Mike Koep; along with many nieces: Teri Zeigler (Bob), Cathy Bigger (Joe) and Dana Fellows (Rick, deceased) and their families.

Bob is preceded by his wife, Sharon, who passed on 2017; both of his parents and sisters, and granddaughter, Angela Foster.

He will be missed by many who knew him. We love you Dad and life will never be the same, as you were to outlive us all.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021, at English Funeral Chapel, 1133 N. Fourth St., Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

English Funeral Home has been entrusted with care of final arrangements. To see Bob's online memorial and to leave a message for the family, please visit www.englishfuneralchapel.com.