Richard Foster Obituary

Thinking of you all this holiday season. I can't imagine how difficult it is, but Beverly and I are keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers.

He was a great man caring and loving !

Dr. Foster´s is a large loss for all things medical in South Carolina. I worked with him in many pursuits of his attention to the betterment of health for all citizens. I and all will miss him greatly.

Rick made a big difference in the health of citizens in SC, both as a physician and also in health policy at the State level. His commitment to his family, church and community were an extension of his Eagle Scout status. Well done good and faithful servant. We will miss you greatly.

Rick was a man of integrity and passion. I enjoyed coaching the girls. Rick even named our mascot for Sea Island, our dog Hoops! Keeping y´all in our prayers! God Speed

Rick knew how to energize a group of people! He had a personal brand that endeared him to all who knew him. South Carolina is in better standing because of his leadership on so many health improvement initiatives. He will be missed.

I join the many who admired Rick. We worked with one another several times during his career. He was a professional with caring, talent, and integrity. My sincere condolences to his family.

Dr. Foster was a noble man that championed health and equity for all. May our God comfort his family, friends and community.

Rick was a tireless advocate for better healthcare for all in the state. His leadership was steady and inspiring. I learned so much about leadership from Rick. I am hopeful we can carry his torch forward, for the betterment of the citizens of South Carolina.

Rick served as a shining example of what it meant to be a true servant leader. He was a passionate, articulate advocate for improving health outcomes by bringing people together from across the state around a shared vision of a better tomorrow for all people. He emerged as a significant leader and contributor on the many committees and boards of which he was a member. We marveled at his boundless energy and his abilities as a multi-tasker. We are so fortunate to have had Rick as our colleague and friend, and we miss him dearly.

Dear Ms Elaine, Lisa, and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers, especially as you celebrate his life well-lived tomorrow. I always found Rick to be such a joy and encouragement. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. God bless you...
Love,
Fr. Greg Snyder
Knoxville, TN

Before I retired I often worked on projects that were led by Dr. Foster. He drove best practice in Infection Prevention across South Carolina. I am honored to have known him and worked with him. My condolences to all of his family and friends.

Dr. Foster was a Leader in Patient Safety. The State Chaper of APIC was fortunate for all his support and guidance to Infection Preventionists over the years. His Leadership will be missed. May God bring Comfort in the days ahead to his family and friends.

Rick was a friend from our time at Clemson and all through medical school. I always appreciated his laugh and smile. Whenever we saw each other, it was like we just left off. He did so much for this state and for medicine. His updates during early Covid days helped so many. He will truly be missed. Beverly and I will keep all his family on our thoughts and prayers.

Dr. Foster has served the South Carolina medical community tremendously over his career. He has been an inspiration to me over the decades. We will miss him. We will celebrate and give thanks for a life well lived.

My deepest condolences to Rick's family. He was such an amazing champion for health in our state. It was a pleasure to work with him on maternal and infant health work in SC and nationally. I appreciated his passion for health equity and community health improvement. He will be missed. Peace be with the family.

My most heartfelt condolences for Rick´s death. I spent the best years working with him, laughing, and feeling inspired every day.

He was relentless in his commitment to health equity, fought every cause worth fighting even if he knew the chances of succeeding were low.

He sang beautifully, spoke loudly, and made sure no minute went to waste by packing with meetings (or audiobooks) his frequent trips up and down I-26.

He had an unwavering belief in the power of collective action, and was a catalyst for health.

He left this world after making a difference in the lives of thousands, be it because of the policy and practice changes he advanced, the minds he influenced, and the hearts he touched. All of us who were lucky to meet him are better because of it, and will sorely miss him.

He went straight to heaven, and I'm sure he'll find a way to "move and shake" things up there for the better.

We only learned of this today. We are so sorry for the family at this difficult time. We will cherish Rick's memory and all the good he has done in his lifetime and want the family to know you are in our prayers and thoughts. Please let us know if we can do anything to help out. God bless you all.

I enjoyed my time with him many years ago. He taught us all a great deal . He will be difficult to replace . He had such a wonderful overall perspective of the issues and problems healthcare professionals face . I will miss him .

Heartsick to hear we have lost this knowledgeable, caring health champion. A treasured, fun-loving colleague. Pacem

From time to time certain very unique individuals pass through our lives, leaving lasting achievements and indelible memories among those fortunate enough to have experienced their company. Rick Foster was such an individual.

Many speak of mentors, of role models, of leaders. Rick defined the epitome of each term. He was indeed brilliant and so very capable, leading by example while motivating others to success. His legacy will be one of service, of duty, and of accomplishment. He was always justifiably proud of his profession.

And I was proud to be his friend and colleague. He is already and forever will missed, but never forgotten.

My sincere condolences to all those who knew and loved Rick, especially his family. Rick had a servant´s heart and God used it richly in his career as a family physician. His work on the South Carolina birth outcomes initiative and leadership during the pandemic are powerful examples of his love in action. He made South Carolina a healthier state. He will be sorely missed.

What a wonderful physician with a huge heart! Loved working with him! Condolences and prayers for his family! He will be missed!! Remember his love for his Tigers too!

Rick was a tireless advocate for the health of all citizens of South Carolina. What a pleasure to know him and witness the work that he did.

Dr.Rick Foster was a giant among mere mortals. His tenacity to assess multifaceted issues and then seek solutions was a gift. He welcomed traditional and non traditional partners. We are fortunate that he provided us a template for effective advocacy. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Dr. Patricia Witherspoon

Dr Foster was truly a champion for patients, helping to make hospitals in SC safer. I worked with him almost 7 years trying to help bring the patients perspective on numerous committees. My most treasured was the creation of Mission:Lifeline ( a heart care initiative that was very dear to my heart). Dr Foster became a dear Christian friend who thru his patient safety efforts, also helped to mend a few of our broken hearts. He will be truly missed. I pray someone will take up his "mantle" of patient safety within the system that he worked and loved for so many years!
Blessings and prayers to his family!
Jan Vick Harris

Dr. Rick was a great man and an excellent advocate fir nurses, doctors and most of all, for patients. He had a great sense of humor and a compassionate nature. My sincere condolences to his beloved family

Rick was an amazing person and a fierce advocate for the patients, colleagues and physicians he worked with over the many years. His legacy is strong and so many of us benefited from knowing him.

We are truly heartbroken to say farewell to an amazing Physician; Colleague, Public Health Champion. Rick was an Advocate of health for all residents of SC. To Rick's familily-Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers at this very difficult time.

I had the privilege of working with Rick early in my career when he was Chief Medical Officer. He was very fair and was a strong advocate for both patients and providers.

It is with sadness that we say goodbye to an amazing man and advocate of healthcare for all.
Dr Deborah Davis

Rick's Family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the day ahead.