Man, did you feel that wind yesterday? I was in the parking lot of Meijer’s in Michigan City and saw a blue basket-cart sail past my car with no human hands at the helm. It was loaded with groceries. The helmsman caught up with it a yards west of the entrance. That was some wind.
When I got home and went back to work on my up-coming final exams, I learned via Facebook messaging from Dan Stecich, that Bob Foster, Leo Class of 1958, Purdue Boilermaker, History Teacher and Football Coach for Leo, Mount Carmel, Little Flower, and St. Rita high schools, Principal and President of Leo High School had gone home to Christ.
That was no wind. Bob Foster was leaving.
I worked for Bob Foster. I learned that Leo High School is not made of re-bar and poured concrete, but of bone, blood, muscle and heart. Bob Foster coordinated those vital elements from all of the men he taught, mentored, or met. Mr. Foster taught them the fundamentals of commitment and courage and swelled the sidelines of a very winning team.
Leo High School remains a vital organ on 79th & Sangamon Streets, because of Bob Foster.
God is not making any more Bob Fosters, because He did such a damn good job on the original.
You will know Bob Foster, because you will meet Bob Sheehy, Terence Bates, Mike Joyce, Mike Holmes, Dan Stecich Mark Lee, Gus McNamara, Denzel Tucker, Bill Holland, Amir Hunter, Mike O’Neill, Raheem Williams, Rich Finn and Lonnie Newman. Bob Foster will be most present wherever Leo Men and good people work to help make this a better world.
The bulk of Bob Foster’s spirit whirl-winded to God’s home field, where it is sunny, dry, the grass is cut just the length to confound the opposition and all a man needs is an orange windbreaker with Leo HS stenciled in bold black on the left breast.
Bob left enough spirit in everyone else to maintain the mission here.
That was some wind.
Obituary for Robert W. Foster
Foster, Robert W.
Beloved Husband of the late Carol (nee Goss).
Loving Father of Jennifer (Dan CFD) McVicker, Michael, and Cathleen (Sean) Huenecke.
Dear Grandfather of Erik, Luke, Peter, Jessica, and Ryan.
Fond Brother of the late Thomas, Donald, Jack, and Jeanne Tighe.
Dear Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Special appreciation to Bob’s caregiver and friend Al.
Beloved Husband of the late Carol (nee Goss).
Loving Father of Jennifer (Dan CFD) McVicker, Michael, and Cathleen (Sean) Huenecke.
Dear Grandfather of Erik, Luke, Peter, Jessica, and Ryan.
Fond Brother of the late Thomas, Donald, Jack, and Jeanne Tighe.
Dear Uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Special appreciation to Bob’s caregiver and friend Al.
Bob retired from Leo High School in 2010 after over 40 years in numerous capacities, Teacher, Head Football Coach, Athletic Director, Principal and President.
Recipient of Leo High School Alumni Association “Man of the Year” in 2008 and Hall of Fame Inductee. Tony Lawless Award winner. 2013 Inductee to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and 1983 Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame Recipient, 1999 Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (Chicago Metro Chapter), 2006 ISCC Educator of the Year Award.
Arrangements entrusted to Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home
www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878
Recipient of Leo High School Alumni Association “Man of the Year” in 2008 and Hall of Fame Inductee. Tony Lawless Award winner. 2013 Inductee to the Chicagoland Sports Hall of Fame and 1983 Chicago Catholic League Hall of Fame Recipient, 1999 Distinguished American Award from the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame (Chicago Metro Chapter), 2006 ISCC Educator of the Year Award.
Arrangements entrusted to Robert J. Sheehy & Sons Funeral Home
www.sheehyfh.com 708-857-7878
1 comment:
Thanks Pat. Bob Foster was our line coach at Mt. Carmel in my senior year, playing tight end and getting my skinny ass handed to me every day by guys like Jerry Schumacher. He was a good guy and indulged me when guys called me "Hands Houlihan" cuz I couldn't catch a cold. God rest his lovely soul.
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