Gene Foster, 79

Gene W. Foster, 79, of Coeur d'Alene, peacefully passed away and into the loving arms of his Lord on Sept. 16, 2024, after a brief illness. Born on April 28, 1945, in Santa Ana, Calif., to James and Marjory (Lips) Foster. He was reared and educated in Santa Ana.

As a youth, Gene was involved in scouting. He recently recounted to a young scout the joy he experienced when he and his father attended the 1960 Boy Scout National Jamboree in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Jamboree opened with over 56,000 scouts in attendance, with the narration of a western story by actor James Arness (Marshall Dillon of “Gunsmoke”). Gene described the excitement he experienced traveling through Idaho and Wyoming on the trip.

Following the example of service to the nation modeled by both parents with their WWII service, Gene enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school and served honorably at sea, attaining the rank of Quartermaster Second Class.

In 1970, while working full time, Gene enrolled at California State University — Long Beach and completed a bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1974. He had a 39-year career with Caltrans, where he was the engineering manager for the design and construction of the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor.  

Gene was an aviation enthusiast who, for a period, piloted his own plane. He also was a student of astronomy, spending many jubilant hours not only gazing at the heavens, but working on his telescopes.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Susan Murphy. As a confirmed bachelor, he is survived by two nieces, a nephew and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graveside ceremony with military honors will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, at Riverview Cemetery, 1065 N. Lincoln Way, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814.

Please visit Gene’s online memorial and sign his guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.