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Dr. Eugene Howard "Gene" Foster was born Jan. 21, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to the late Dr. Eugene Lewis and Mavis Howard Foster. He was a licensed psychologist, educator, and administrator for human services organizations. His goal was to make a difference in the world around him and he did- building treatment programs for abused and neglected youth, counseling individuals, teaching college students and influencing legislative policy for those who could not speak for themselves -- youth and the elderly.
Gene was raised in Harvard, Massachusetts, and graduated from Bromfield High School. He graduated from Barrington College with a BA in psychology, from Rhode Island College with an MA and a Certificate in Advanced Sciences, and from Boston University with a doctorate in special education. He began his career working in the projects of Providence, Rhode Island, as a social worker and teaching at Providence College where he earned the rank of assistant professor. He left academia at his father's request to help market the family business, UTD, and managed a field office in Elkins, West Virginia. While in Elkins, he met and married the love of his life, Dianne Dolly Foster. On Nov. 10, they would have celebrated their 40th anniversary.
While in Elkins, Gene established a private practice of psychology, contracted psychological testing services for the WV Children's Home, Elkins Mountain School and schools in Randolph, Barbour, and Grant counties. He also provided forensic psychology services at Weston State Hospital. Later, he served as CEO of Elkins Mountain School, a residential treatment facility for boys, for eight years.
In Ashland, Kentucky, Gene was CEO of Ramey-Estep Homes, a residential treatment facility for boys for three years before accepting the position of Vice President and later President at Maryhurst, a residential treatment facility for girls, in Louisville, Kentucky. Governor Ernie Fletcher appointed him to serve as Undersecretary for the Cabinet for Children and Family Services for 3 years. Later he was Deputy Director of the Commission for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Vice President for True Up, a youth advocacy program in Louisville.
Gene's final position was as clinical associate professor in the University of Louisville's Department of Educational Counseling and Psychology. He was tasked with developing therapy services for the residents of West Louisville, and he built a counseling center at The Academy at Shawnee for students and the Cardinal Success Program in the Nia Center which offers free counseling to residents of that community.
Gene served in leadership positions in his churches -- Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins, West Virginia; First Baptist of Ashland; and John Knox Presbyterian Church in Louisville. Most recently he led an initiative to re-zone John Knox property in order to develop affordable housing for the community. This project is near fruition and will be part of his legacy.
Dr. Foster also served as a member and past president of the Eastern Area Community Ministries Board and as a member of The Sanctuary board. He was a member a past president of WV Childcare Association and the Kentucky Children's Alliance.
He loved boating and leaves behind many who enjoyed adventures on the water at Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, and on the Ohio River aboard the "Gene Therapy" -- a houseboat where he and Dianne lived nine summers while they worked downtown. He loved traveling across the US, especially Route 66, to Canada, Europe and Japan and locally to places like Brown County, Indiana, and Berea, Kentucky. Trips to Orlanda with grandchildren and "Guys Weekends" with his sons and grandsons were special to him.
Gene leaves behind three children, Jason Eugene Lewis Foster (Sonya) of Union, Kentucky; Bradford David Foster (Aly) of Detroit, Michigan, and Nicole Foster Greenwood of Louisville, Kentucky; and five grandchildren, Jaye, Riley and Marshall Greenwood of Louisville, Nathan Foster of Detroit and Kyle Foster of Chicago; one brother, Mark Foster (Roseanne) of Alton Bay, New Hampshire; one sister, Carol Horowitz (Irv); and several nieces and nephews.
One sister, Kay Adams, is deceased. He loved his Boston Terriers -- Chelsea Ann and Maggie Mae, who survive, and Linsly and Abby, who are deceased.
A memorial service was held at John Knox Presbyterian Church on Friday, Nov. 8.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Eastern Area Community Ministries or John Knox Presbyterian Church, both located at 9104 Westport Rd., Louisville, KY 40242.