Terence Anthony “Terry” Foster, 70, of Russell, Kansas, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024 at the Russell Regional Hospital in Russell.
Terry was born April 1, 1953, in San Diego, California. He was the son of Orville Wayne and Margaret Rita (Murphy) Foster. Terry grew up in Minneapolis, Kansas and graduated from Minneapolis High School in the Class of 1972. During his high school years, he was a member of FFA, the chess club, and played intramural tennis, basketball, and softball. He became an avid tennis player. He may not have looked athletic, but he had skills and quick feet which often surprised his opponents! After graduating from high school, Terry, like his father before him, worked at El Dorado, an RV manufacturing plant in Minneapolis. He decided he did not want to do this for the rest of his life, so he decided to go to Fort Hays University with some of his friends. In the spring of 1974, Terry did one semester at K-State before returning to Fort Hays and graduating in December, 1977 with a B.S. in Education. In the fall of 1975, Terry sat out a semester to go with his mother to visit her home in County Cork, Ireland, which was an education in itself!
While at Fort Hays, Terry met Maribeth Schwarzkopf. They were united in marriage on July 29, 1978, at St. John’s in Beloit, Kansas. They made their home in Glen Elder, Kansas, until 1979, when they moved to Russell. While at Russell, Terry graduated from Fort Hays in 1982 with a Master’s degree in Administration. After getting their Master’s degrees, this union was blessed with two children, Megan and James. They were the pinnacle of his life.
Terry was an Educator and Teacher for many children in Quinter, Cawker City, and Russell, Kansas for 38 years. While at Russell he taught 5th grade and 6th grade math. He also worked for a time at NEW, a call center for Direct TV in Hays, Kansas. Terry was well known for always giving out Jolly Ranchers to his students and friends. Not only did he love rocketry, motorcycles, computers, chess, tennis, and reading nonfiction, but also loved researching a topic and then going to visit the site of his study. He loved watching sports as much as playing them. Some of his favorite teams were K-State and Kansas City Chiefs and we would often go to see a live game.
Terry’s life was full of living, laughing, and loving. He was one of those unique individuals who did not take himself so seriously. He liked to have fun and could always see the humor in situations. One never knew what was going to come out of his mouth! He was always on the go. Life was an adventure. We would take trips on the spur of the moment; trips in blizzards, motorcycle trips with friends, Disney World with family, Segway tour in Kansas City, mystery trip to the Mall of America, and everyday excursions. Terry’s laid-back attitude and determination to go through life his way made us better together.
Terry’s surviving family include his wife of 45 years, Maribeth of the home; daughter, Megan Ashlaw of Wichita, Kansas; son, James Foster and wife Shauna of Russell, Kansas; four grandchildren, Natalie Ashlaw, Derek Ashlaw, Alaina Foster, and Greyson Foster; sister, Elizabeth Hedberg of Wichita, Kansas; nephew, Sean Kopf of Wichita, Kansas and many other nieces and nephews.
Terry was preceded in death by his parents; half-brothers, Bob Foster and Ronnie Foster; half-sister, Rosalee Kern; and the family dog, Charlie.
Celebration of Terry’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, April 1, 2024, at Trinity United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held from Noon to 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 31, 2024 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, with the family present to greet friends from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Cremation has taken place with interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established as the Terry Foster Memorial Fund. Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.