Daniel E. Foster

Dan passed peacefully surrounded by family Friday, July 1, 2016, at the age of 92.

He was born in Jamestown, N.Y. March 13, 1924 to George and Marion Foster. He graduated from Celeron High School in June 1942 and immediately enlisted in the US Navy. He was originally assigned to the 48th Seabee Battalion but most of the time was attached to the 4th Marine Division in the South Pacific.

Upon returning home, he entered Alfred University, where he met the love of his life, Jean Stangrover. After obtaining a BA in Psychology, he was offered a scholarship to Buffalo University where he earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

Shortly after he and Jean were married, he accepted a position with Lenkirt Electric which later became a subsidiary of General Telephone and Electronics in San Carlos, Calif. In 1973 he was transferred to Sylvania, a subsidiary of GTE, in Waltham, Mass. and moved his young family to Sherborn, Mass.

In 1977 he accepted a position with GTE Corporate in Stamford, Conn. As one of his duties, he had to make regular visits to the GTE offices in Tempe, Ariz. During some free time on one of those trips, Dan explored the area and discovered Fountain Hills. He fell in love with Fountain Hills and decided that was where he wanted to retire.

In 1981, Dan and Jean built their dream home in Fountain Hills. Dan permanently transferred to Tempe, and retired in 1985, after 31 years as a Corporate Vice President of Human Resources for GTE.

Never one to sit idle, Dan volunteered at a number of service clubs and organizations. He was president of: Noon Kiwanis Club, Fountain Hills Library Assoc., Fountain Hills Golden Eagle Foundation, FH/Ft. McDowell Cattleguard Alliance, FH Automobile Club and FH Men’s Club, of which he was a charter member. He was also active in the FH Sister Cities Committee, FH Community Center Advisory Comm., FH Senior Center Advisory Comm., FH Civic Assoc., FH Community Center, FH School Mentoring Program, FH Sheriff's Volunteer Posse, FH Street Clean Up Program, FH Verde Valley Museum, FH VFW & American Legion.

He served as an Elder of the FH Presbyterian Church and was instrumental in obtaining the flagpole and memorial on the church grounds as well as building the columbarium. Dan dearly loved Fountain Hills and he enjoyed every minute of his extensive volunteer work. In 2009 he was very proud to be inducted into the Fountain Hills Volunteer Hall of Fame, having accumulated over 11,500 volunteer hours.

Dan loved flying, camping, riding his motorcycle, golf and playing his beloved trumpet. He will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and storytelling.

Dan is survived by his dear wife of 63 years, Jean; brother, Duane (Dorothy) Foster of Prescott; son, Scott (Pam) Foster of Fountain Hills; daughter, Kathleen (Rob) Scott of Mesa; and grandchildren, Andrew (Mary) Foster of Caldwell, Idaho, Nichole Foster of San Tan Valley and Brad Foster, Phoenix. He also leaves two great-grand daughters, Jaynie and Kitra Foster of Caldwell, Idaho.

Contributions can be made to Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church or the Fountain Hills VFW. Services are pending, please contact son Scott Foster for additional information, 480-250-0603.

Funeral services for Dan Foster will be held on Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. at Fountain Hills Presbyterian Church, 13001 Fountain Hills Boulevard. A reception will follow the service.