Robert D. Foster Obituary

Robert Delos Foster was born in Los Angeles on January 22, 1920 to Delos and Sadie Ann Foster. Bob and his older sister, Catherine, grew up in Chicago where their father was Dean of Men at Moody Bible Institute.

At Wheaton College he asked Marion Bailey for a date and she agreed if he would accompany her to hear Dawson Trotman, a guest speaker on campus. Bob fell in love with Marion and they were married on December 9, 1943. Dawson Trotman would later become Bob's role model and mentor in helping men become followers of Jesus Christ.

After Marion's father died, they moved to Los Angeles to help manage the family plumbing business. Their four children, Bob, Janna, Dan and Rick were born during the years when Bob's association with The Navigators began to grow.

In 1957, they moved to Colorado Springs to work full time with the Navigators at Glen Eyrie. Their home at 736 Panorama Drive was always open to friends and guests. Bob and Marion had a growing desire to reach out to businessmen and their families by providing a quality vacation destination. In 1961, that dream became a reality at Lost Valley Ranch.

For many years, Bob served as Bible teacher for an adult class at First Presbyterian Church, Colorado Springs. He also served on the Board of Dallas Theological Seminary, Wheaton College and English Language Institute of China. His passion was helping people come to know Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.

After Marion's death in 1996, Bob married Bev Paynter from Orange County, CA in 2000 and they shared ten wonderful years together.

Bob is survived by his four children: Bob (Karen) Foster, Janna Kay (Bill) Reynolds, Dan (Marilyn) Foster and Rick (Lucy) Foster; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Nephew: John Williams

Bob believed: Life is worth living; People are worth loving; God is worth trusting.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5th at Sanctuary Church, 1930 W. Colorado Avenue.

In lieu of flowers, gifts for the Lost Valley Staff Scholarship Fund may be sent to: Lost Valley Ranch, 29555 Goose Creek Road, Sedalia, CO 80135. Make checks to:

Lost Valley Staff Scholarship Fund.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Jun. 2, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert D. Foster

7 Entries

Robert Leslie

May 27, 2020

I have already provided my thoughts in 2016 while living in Ouray County, Colorado. I wanted to add that Robert always invited my wife and I to some of the Mariner's Class (Sunday School Class) functions. That is where I heard more about Wheaton College where he met his wife Marion. I'm grateful that all three of my grandchildren have now graduated from Wheaton College. Robert was a blessing to our family.

Robert Leslie

June 21, 2016

What a blessing and privilege to see Robert Foster practicing II Tim. 3:16 in my life. I got to know him while on an Elder Board. He took me out to lunch one time and gently reproved me for my lack of gentleness. He encouraged my wife and daughter a number of times and we attended his Sunday School class functions. He represented the Navigator's, Wheaton College, and Jesus Christ with his life.

Dick Larson

June 6, 2016

I cherish the time I was able to spend it with Bob. The fact that both my children and some of my grandchildren are in the full-time Christian work today is because of him? I remember our weekly radio broadcast " Christanity in Shoe Leather", the trips we took in support of the Leigh Ford crusades and the times we spent at Lost Valley. I will truly miss him.

June 6, 2016

a wonderful man of god. i will always charish his saturday's men's ride and insperational talk to we fathers. we did that for 13 yrs at lost valley and now are taking our 11 grandkids back, all because of the love for "big bob" Dr. and Mrs H. Gale Zacheis

June 6, 2016

I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that Jer 29: 11, 12 brings you some comfort during this difficult time.

Bob Wakeman

June 4, 2016

Bob was Director of the Long Beach Servicemen's Center in 1955 when I was a new Christian and in the Navy. Later, in 1960 I worked for Bob on the paint crew at Glen Eyrie. He spoke at our Long Beach Servicemen's Center reunion in 2011. I have read and been encouraged and challenged by THE CHALLENGE he wrote for many years. Bob was always a man of God to emulate. Know he is with Jesus.

Bob Schwall

June 3, 2016

It was my good fortune to work for Bob at Glen Eyrie over 1960-61. Shirley and i were married there and attended Bob's Mr & Mrs class at First Pres for many years.
The highlight of our families holiday time was our annual memorial weekend visit to Lost Valley Ranch. The kids talked about it for weeks.
Oh for a thousand servants like Bob Foster in todays body of Christ.

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