Elmer Ralph Foster

E. Ralph Foster July 24, 1919 – April 28, 2014 Ralph was born the third of four children to Katherine and Elmer Foster in rural Harrison County, Indiana, on July 24, 1919. He Graduated from New Middleton High School. Although he was offered a college scholarship, he was unable to attend due to family obligations. In his early 20s he moved to Indianapolis and began attending West Morris Street Free Methodist Church where he met his future wife, Gayle E. Rumple. They were married on August 8, 1941. Their son, Michael, was born on January 12, 1943, and their daughter, Brenda, was born on February 4, 1945. During World War II, Ralph served in the United States Navy. After basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, he went on to train as a Pharmacist's Mate. He spent the remainder of the war in the South Pacific aboard the USS Renville, a troop transport ship. Ralph and Gayle were fortunate to have four grandchildren. Their son Michael and his wife Jeanne have two sons, Philip (June) and Paul (Katie). Their daughter Brenda and her husband David have two daughters, Kristina and Barbara (David). They were also blessed with eight great-grandchildren: Kayla, Nathan, Gabriella, Jessica, Isaac, Jay, Patrick, and Avery. Ralph worked a variety of jobs before and after the war. He worked for over 25 years as a precision grinder at Ideal Engineering, a tool and die shop. His ease with numerical calculations and his attention to detail gave him a distinct advantage in his job, and the foreman came to rely upon him to accurately complete the more complex jobs. Ralph finished his working life at Allison Engineering. Ralph's love of the Lord was evident in all aspects of his life. He talked to family, friends, and coworkers about his faith. He was a member of the West Morris Street Free Methodist Church his entire adult life, having joined the then Second FMC on October 10, 1941. He was active in the church in many ways. He consistently spent one night a week calling on new members of the congregation as well as those sick at home or in the hospital. Ralph also served many years as church treasurer, beginning in 1947 and as a member of the official board, beginning in 1942. He was involved in two major construction projects – a new church building in 1952 and a large sanctuary addition in 1974. Ralph began taking evening college classes at Butler University early in the 1950's. Originally, he majored in chemistry, but trying to complete a science degree with only evening classes proved to be impossible. He changed his major to business and transferred to Indiana Central College (now the University of Indianapolis). He received his Bachelor of Science degree in June, 1971. Completing this degree after so many years of taking one class at a time shows a lot about Ralph's determination and tenacity. Ralph loved to travel and spent weeks planning the two-week family summer vacation. Vacation highlights included many national parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Great Smoky Mountain) and other scenic attractions. Ralph and Gayle spent their retirement years traveling, including a European tour that included visiting the Hawaiian Islands as well as one to Alaska. Additionally they made several trips to both Gatlinburg and Branson. They enjoyed playing cards with family and friends and dining out, especially taking advantage of the "early bird specials" prevalent during their early retirement years. Ralph also enjoyed gardening, especially growing hybrid tea roses and took great pride in his carefully tended yard. Ralph and Gayle moved to the West Side Garden Plaza Independent Living Community in March, 2010. They then moved to Reeds Landing Assisted Living Community in Springfield, Massachusetts in October, 2012. This move allowed them to be close to Michael and his family who all live in Springfield. Gayle passed away on December 24, 2013; they were married 72 years.