Richard B. Foster, Jr.

Rick Foster, aged 84, died September 25, 2018, at his daughter’s home in Dexter, MI.  He had been living with his daughter, Martha and her husband, John, for the past three years, since the death of his wife Gretchen.  He was born March 31, 1934, in Lansing, Michigan, and was the son of Richard, Sr. and Frances (Arbaugh) Foster.

He attended Cranbrook Schools (’52) and received his undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College (’56).  He received his Law Degree from University of Michigan (’61).

Rick was an attorney in the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins and Coey.  He worked there for over 20 years alongside his father, Dick.  The firm was originally founded by his grandfather, Walter Foster.  Following his work at Foster, Swift, Rick founded the consulting firm BanConsult, Inc., serving community banks and regional bank holding companies throughout the mid-west in mergers and acquisitions, corporate strategy and retail banking best practices.  Rick also continued work as an attorney at law during and after his work at BanConsult, Inc.

Rick was an active and generous contributor to his professional associations including the American Bar Association, the Michigan Bar Association and the Independent Bankers Association.  Rick also supported civic organizations including Sparrow Hospital of Lansing, the United Way and the Lansing Rotary Club.

Rick and his wife were very involved in the community including supporting the Williamston Theater and Wharton Center.  He served on the Meridian Township Planning Committee for several years and was a member of the Sherlock Holmes Society and Richard III Society.  He was an avid reader, history buff, wood chopper and cook.

He married Gretchen in Smokerise, New Jersey, on June 15, 1957.  Gretchen preceded him in death in 2015.   He is survived by his son, Robert Foster and wife Ann Jaquith and grandsons, Zach and Jake of Menlo Park, CA; his daughter Martha Davis, husband John Davis of Dexter, MI and grandchildren, Emily, Matthew and Molly; his brother Walter “Jack” Foster of New Canaan, CT; nephew Brian Foster and niece, Catherine Foster.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 5, 2019, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel, 325 W. Washtenaw St., Lansing, MI.  Memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley or Dartmouth College.