Richard Stephen (Steve) Foster passed away on April 22, 2024. He was 68 years old.
Steve was raised on a farm in Montgomery County. For several years, he raised purebred Hampshire hogs with his dad, and also row crops.
When he was 18 he obtained his private pilot license under the instruction of Howard Wehrman, near Montgomery City. In 1977, he began flying charters for Central Missouri Aviation, located south of Columbia, thus beginning his aviation career. He flew for Discwasher Corporation in Columbia and then Mesa Air Shuttle (now Mesa Airlines) Farmington, N.M., where he flew the first commercial flight for Mesa Air Shuttle in 1980. For that flight, he flew a six seat Piper Saratoga from Farmington, N.M. to Albuquerque, N.M.; and took care of the ticketing and baggage. He subsequently flew for Sun West Airlines, Durango, Colo.; Air Midwest Airlines, Kansas City; Trans States Airlines, St. Louis; and instructed for CommuteAir, Houston, Texas. For most of his career he was a pilot and became an instructor when he was approaching the age when he could no longer fly commercial passenger flights.
Steve was serious about his faith, having been led to the Lord by a cousin, and was quite an accomplished drummer. He began playing drums in churches, starting with Christian Fellowship of Columbia, where he met his wife Susan. Every time they moved and settled in a church, Steve would end up playing drums.
He was a devoted family man and made family activities a huge priority. His philosophy was to see everything worth seeing while he was based in the area. He was always quick to help family members, including extended family, if he could.
He was known for his sense of humor, specializing in puns and unexpected word plays. The English language twisted and turned when it was in his hands.
He will be sorely missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 44 years, Susan Lee Foster of Wright City; his daughter, Jennifer Mosby, son-in-law, Colby Mosby, and their two children, Alana and Josiah of Bella Vista, Ark.; his mother-in-law, Marianna Lee of Carthage (Jasper County); and his brother, James (Jim) Foster and sister-in-law, Mary Foster of Montgomery City.
He was preceded in death by his son, Timothy Foster; his parents, Ralph and Thelma Foster; his sister, Lois Foster McCubbin; and his father-in-law, James (Jim) Lee, Jr.
A visitation is scheduled from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. on May 3 at Pitman Funeral Home in Warrenton. Funeral services are at 9 a.m. on May 4 at the funeral home. Burial will be at Warrenton City Cemetery.
