Foerster, Robert Eugene 'Bob' (1946 - 2014): Carl Wayne Gray Genealogies

1946 - 2014 (67 years)

Name	Foerster, Robert Eugene 'Bob'
Name		Robert Eugene "Bob" Foerster (1946-2014) Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray
Birth	15 Dec 1946	Olney, Richland County, Illinois
Gender	Male
Reference Number	FOER.R001
Funeral	11 Jan 2014	Free Methodist Church, Olney, Richland County, Illinois [1]
Military Service	Viet Nam War, United States Army [1]
	Vietnam War, where he served as a United States Army Ranger from 1966-1969
		United States of America Flag, 50 Stars (1960 - Present) This is the current flag of the United States. This flag became the official United States flag in 1960 when a star was added for the State of Hawaii. It replaced the short-lived 49-star flag (July 4, 1959 - July 3, 1960) honoring the State of Alaska. An Executive Order by President Eisenhower provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine…
		United States Army Prior to the establishment of the "Department of the Army Emblem", there was no official display item to identify the Army. The Seal had traditionally been used to authenticate documents only and was not authorized for public display. In recognizing the need to provide a display item, the Secretary of the Army approved the emblem design as the…
		United States Army
		Ranger Tab, United States Army
		United States Army Rangers
		Parachutist Badge, United States Armed Forces
		Parachutist Badge, United States Armed Forces
		Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Unit Citation with Palm (Army Frame) The Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross also known as the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross or Vietnam Cross of Gallantry (Vietnamese: Anh-Dũng Bội-Tinh) is a military decoration of the former Government of South Vietnam (Republic of Vietnam). The medal was created on August 15, 1950 and was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces…
		Gallantry Cross, South Vietnam
		Generic Military Service Ribbons, Vietnam War, United States Army NOTE: This list may be incomplete. Contributed by Carl Wayne Gray
		National Defense Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
		National Defense Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
		Vietnam Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
		Vietnam Service Medal, United States Armed Forces
		Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of South Viet Nam
		Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of South Vietnam
		Vietnam
		Vietnam War (1955-1975)
		Map of Military Installations during the Vietnam War Locate any Fire Base, Landing Zone, or Military Installation during the Vietnam War with this Interactive Google Map of Vietnam.
Death	6 Jan 2014	Richland County Memorial Hospital, Olney, Richland County, Illinois [1]
Burial	11 Jan 2014	Crest Haven Memorial Park, Claremont, Richland County, Illinois [1]
Burial	Burial will be in Crest Haven Memorial Park with full military rites at the graveside.
Person ID	I20913	Carl Wayne Gray Research
Last Modified	29 May 2024

Father	Foerster, William Henry, b. 11 Jun 1894 d. 14 May 1972 (Age 77 years)
Mother	Patterson, Grace Viola, b. 19 Sep 1909, Richland County, Illinois d. 27 Dec 1982, Richland County, Illinois (Age 73 years)
Marriage	2 Nov 1929	Olney, Richland County, Illinois [2]
Age at Marriage	He : 35 years and 5 months - She : 20 years and 2 months.
Family ID	F1640	Group Sheet \| Family Chart

Family Archer, S.S.

Children

	1. FOERSTER, J.
	2. FOERSTER, J.

Family ID F7269 Group Sheet | Family Chart

Last Modified 31 Jan 2023

Notes

Bob was loved by everyone who knew him. He lived his life as a service to God through his selfless service to his community and his constant witness to all with whom he came in contact. Bob's heart went out to the youth of this community, and because of this, he is known to many as "Uncle Bob."

His adult life was made up of different phases of service, beginning with his service to his country during the Vietnam War, where he served as a United States Army Ranger from 1966-1969. Afterward, he used his G.I. Bill to begin studying to be a nurse at Olney Central College. However, God had other plans for his life.

Thus began his next phase of service as dispatcher (telecommunicator) for Olney Radio while he studied Criminal Justice at OCC and McKendree University. Upon completing his studies, he became a Police Officer, serving first at the Newton Police Department then coming to the Olney Police Department, where he served for 20 years from 1977-1997, retiring as Sergeant. The following year he began his first of two terms as Sheriff for Richland County, holding this office until 2006.
Through all of this, and until the day he died, he served on many boards, including the Police and Fire boards, Salvation Army, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and American Legion. He also did volunteer work for many charitable organizations such as The Master's Hands.

Bob loved to change lives and believed in the good in everyone. He did everything he could to show his support to active duty and veterans of our military. He faithfully corresponded with any and all inmates who sought his encouragement and guidance.

Bob Foerster was a loved and respected member of this community and his passing will continue to be felt by all who knew him.

Sources

[S1492] http://www.remembering-when.com/olneydailymail/obituaries.shtml, Obituary, Foerster, Robert Eugene "Bob", 67, (Olney Daily Mail (Olney, Illinois)), none. (Reliability: 2).
[S5765] http://www.findagrave.com, Headstone, Foerster, Grace V. and William H., (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/48367199/grace-viola-foerster), none. (Reliability: 2).