Robert G. “Bob” Foster, age 97, was reunited in Heaven, with his wife of 74 years, Norine, on Monday, October 6, 2025 . Waiting for Bob, along with Norine and his parents, were his brothers, Wes, Al, Wilmer, and Jack, and sisters, Hattie, Betty, Esther & their spouses. He was the 7th of 8 children born to Pearl Rose Baldwin and Robert A. Foster.?

Bob is survived by children: Robert (Judy) Foster, Kay (Neil) Pritchard, Dan Foster, Dave (Kim) Foster; Grandchildren, Tracy (Jason) Storch, Kristen Tumer, Lance (Christy) Pritchard, Brian (Emily) Pritchard, Mitchell (Becky) Foster, and Kyle (Max) VanRaaphorst; Great-grandchildren, Ashlee Storch, Brooke Storch, Brantley Pritchard, Breslin Pritchard, Madison Tumer, Harrison Pritchard, Elliot Pritchard, Emerson VanRaaphorst, Quinn VanRaaphorst, Otto Foster and Elle Foster; special friends, Jerry (Janice) Herman and numerous extended family and friends.

Bob started working at the age of 13 as a soda jerk for his brother, Al at Jay T. Mills Ice Cream. Six months later he began making ice cream and met Norine when she applied for a job. She got the job and within a week they started dating. Bob said he knew she was the one for him “The day she applied for the job.” ?They married on July 30, 1949, and raised their four children in Wyoming, Godwin Heights.

In 1959, they went into the grocery business with his brothers, Al and Jack, opening a Foster's Midnite Market and upon moving to Evart in 1977 opened the store there.

?Bob Served his community in Wyoming: on the Godwin School Board for 14 years, the Park and Recreation committee for 10 years and he was a long time member of the Godwin Golden “G” scholarship committee. He was also part owner of the Grand Rapids Tackers basketball team and was actively involved with South Kent Youth Basketball Association as well as the United Baseball League.

After moving to Evart, he continued to give back to his community and spent 8 years serving on the Evart School Board. For ten years, hewas actively engaged with the City of Evart Planning and Zoning and was a dedicated member of the Reed City Hospital Board of Directors, and the Michigan Grocers Association Board.?

Bob really enjoyed his fly-in walleye fishing trips in Canada at Nagagami lake, which he started at 89 years old with BJ and family friends Mike and Carol Stahl. Many trips followed with nephew Larry and his son Matt. His great-granddaughter Brooke’s first trip was after she graduated high school in 2019, she fished with Gramps till he couldn't go anymore.. He always wanted to be the first one in the boat to yell out “Fish on!”

He hoped to “Get a chance to go walleye fishing with the good Lord himself”

Care and cremation have been entrusted to Corey Funeral Home in Evart.

A celebration of life is planned for May 9, 2025 at the Evart Community Center.