David Scott Foster

Dave started life in Chico and soon moved with his parents to Ruth, Calif. Later he moved to Fortuna, Calif., where he grew up and attended the Fortuna SDA Junior Academy and Fortuna High School. Growing up, he lived across the street from his grandparents, Lloyd and Helen Landis. One of his favorite activities was going on picnics to Patrick’s Point State Park and hunting for agates on the beach. He spent many a day fishing along the Eel River and exploring the country. He had a strong bond with the ocean.

Dave joined the Army in 1968 and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was a helicopter door gunner and later became crew chief with the 7th/1st B troop Air Calvary Blackhawks and 282nd Assault Helicopter Unit (Black Cats). He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with valor for heroism. Following an Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1976, he started working for the U.S. Forest Service on the Mt. Hood National Forest on the Ripplebrook Helitack Crew. It was during this that time he met his wife Katie Lockett. They were married in 1979. He worked 23 years for the U.S. Forest Service on the Clackamas and Hood River Ranger Districts. He held various fire management positions and then transferred to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, working at the John Day Dam. He retired in 2002. He loved to watch birds, was a master gardener, rock hound and silver smith. He spent many hours metal detecting and pursuing the study of artifacts and places of ancient ruins. He loved music, was an avid reader and lifelong learner.

Dave’s positive attitude was contagious to all around him. He had courage and determination in the face of difficult health issues and was always thankful to those who cared for him. He will be missed by his family and friends.

Dave is survived by his wife of 38 years, Katie Foster, daughter Shannon, son Jerry and granddaughter Talula, all of Parkdale. He is also survived by his brother, Gordon N. Foster (and wife, Bonnie J.) of Prineville, Ore., sisters-in-law Jane Burich (Bill) of Salem, Ore., and Becki Heath of Portland, Ore., nieces and nephews Tracie Burich of Salem, Nik Burich of Denver, Colo., Evan Heath of Park City, Utah, Gordon R. Foster (Brandie) of Prineville, and daughter Sierra Angela Foster of Bend, Ore., and his beloved pets, Kali, Jimmy and Valor.

He was preceded in death by his father, Jerry Anthony Foster, on Feb. 29, 1964, mother Betty Helen (Landis) Foster in 1970, niece Angela Janene Foster on July 26, 1976, and in-laws Jim and Reita Lockett 2006 and 2016, respectively.

Services are planned for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 23 at Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, Ore. A private burial will be planned at a later date.

Contributions can be made to www.Hueyvets.com and/or sent directly to Anderson’s Tribute Center.

The family gives heartfelt thanks to the medical community, especially the dialysis team in Hood River, for taking such good care of Dave and the support they have shown to the family during this difficult time. They also thank Parkdale first responders and Anderson’s Tribute Center, and others too many to name.

Attached is a link to the story of his Vietnam heroics that just ran in the Hood River News on Dec. 8: www.hoodrivernews.com/news/2017/dec/09/vietnam-vet-finds-healing-flying-museum. Please visit www. AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.