Richard "Dick" K. Foster

Richard “Dick” K. Foster, 71, of Salisbury Center, New York, passed away on Tuesday morning, September 10, 2024 at Bassett Healthcare in Cooperstown, New York with his family by his side.

He was born on June 13, 1953 in Little Falls, New York and was the son of the late, Archiebald and Gertrude (Hart) Foster. Dick was educated at Dolgeville Central School and graduated with the Class of 1972.

On July 20, 1972, Dick enlisted in the United States Army. While serving his country during the Vietnam War Era, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Sharpshooter Badge Rifle M16. On July 18, 1975, Dick was honorable discharged as a Specialist Fourth Class.

While he was serving his country, Dick was united in marriage to Valerie Jean Poore on December 16, 1972 at the Salisbury Methodist Church in Salisbury Center, New York. The couple shared a union of nearly 52 years together where they raised their two daughters in a loving home.

Dick attended Cornell University where he earned a certificate in meat cutting. He worked at several supermarkets over the years including Big M and lastly with Hannaford in Herkimer, New York as a butcher. He also worked for Lowe’s where he was an Associate until his retirement in 2016.

He was a member of the Salisbury Grange #642 and enjoyed hunting, fishing and woodworking. Dick and his wife, Valerie truly enjoyed taking their vacations on cruise ships where the visited many countries. His most favorite memories and time was spent in the company of his wife, daughters and grandchildren. Dick will be deeply missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Valerie (Poore) Foster at home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rachael (Foster) Allen and her husband, Kenneth of Stella, NC and Vickie (Foster) Ford and her husband, Christopher Ford of New York Mills, NY; his grandchildren, Amanda (Allen) Woodhead and her husband, Colin of Bangor, ME, Alyssa (Allen) MacDowall and her husband, Matthew of Leland, NC, Nicholas Ford and Julian Ford, both of New York Mills, NY; a great-granddaughter, Harley Grace Woodhead of Bangor, ME; siblings; Rosemary Barton of MT, Earl (Skip) Foster and his wife, Patricia of Wilson, NY, William “Bill” Foster and his wife, Eileen of Dolgeville, NY, Linn Foster and his wife, Roseann of MD, Kevin Foster and his wife, Antoinette of MA, and Diane Foster of Salisbury Center, NY; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Richard and Marsha Poore, Veronica Poore of Rome, NY, Keith and Sharon Mabbett of FL, and Nancy Reese of MN; many nieces, nephews, cousins; and special family friends, Bill Dean, Sue Miller & Betty Pohleven.

Dick was predeceased by his parents, Archiebald and Gertrude Foster, an infant brother, Archiebald “Skeeter” Foster, his in-laws, Donald and Marge Poore and Donna Poore; and a brother-in-law, Douglas Poore.

A Celebration of Life for Richard K. Foster will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dolgeville Rod and Gun Club, 697 Peckville Road, Dolgeville, New York 13329. Members of the Army Honor Guard will accord funeral honors for Dick at 1:30 p.m. along with his grandson's Boy Scout Troop where they will present the flag together. All are asked to please arrive at 1:15 p.m. for the honors and a speaker. The Foster family is being cared for by locally owned and family operated, Miller-Plonka Funeral Home, 30 Wolf Street, Dolgeville, New York, Cremations and Funerals.

To leave a message of sympathy for the Foster Family, please visit www.millerplonkafuneralhome.com and sign the tribute wall or leave a photo or memory for his online memory book.

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