Michael Stephen Foster

A native of Buncombe County, NC he was the son of Ernestine Foster Mandeville and the late Howard C. Foster. He grew up in Candler and graduated from Enka High School in 1960. After attending the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD and UNC/Chapel Hill, he graduated with honors from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology and Oceanography in 1970. In 1978 Foster completed post-graduate studies with honors at the US Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey, CA earning silultaneous Master’s Degrees in Meteorology and Oceanography.

During a distinguished 28 year career as a US Naval Officer, Commander Foster served in numerous capacities and locations around the world including two tours of duty in Antarctica. His last duty assignment was at the Naval Oceanography and Atmospheric Research Center at the National Space Technology Laboratories, Stennis Space Center in MS. Upon his retirement in 1992, he continued his work in aerospace and atmosphiric research at Stennis Space Center as a faculty member for Mississippi State University.

Commander Foster was a member of the Gulf Coast Meteorlogical Society, Sigma Xi Fraternity, the VFW and the Fleet Reserve Association. He was a member of the Vestry of the Cathedral as well as the Order of St. Vincent at Christ Episcopal Cathedral of New Orleans.

In addition to his mother, Commander Foster is survived by his wife, Betty Carrington Foster; his step-father, Ernest Mandeville of Candler; two daughters, Vanya Foster Robinson of Richmond, VA and Dawn Foster West of Newport News, VA; a brother, Gary Foster of Candler; two step-sons, Edward Bousquet of Slidell, LA and Anthony Murray of Tucson, AZ; a step-daughter, Dawn Jankowski of Houston, TX and six grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, August 21, 2001at Starnes Cove Baptist Church with the Revs. Charlie Sams, Dan McCurry and A. C. McCurry officiating. Burial will be at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will return to Starnes Cove Baptist Church where they will receive friends from 4-6 pm after the graveside services are completed.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to either the Navy Relief Fund of New Orleans or Gulfport, MS.

Groce Funeral Home, 1401 Patton Avenue is assisting with arrangements.