Obituaries: Dr. and Mrs. Robert H. Foster

Mrs. Barbara Collins Foster of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on Dec. 10, 2023.

Dr. Robert H. “Bob” Foster, also of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away on March 22, 2024.

They were the quintessential loving couple till the end and, no doubt, beyond.

Robert was born in the summer of 1931 in South Georgia, the son of Theron and Mattie Bell Foster.

Barbara was born in the autumn of 1932 in Southern Virginia, the daughter of Harold and Catherine Collins.

At an early age, both Barbara’s and Bob’s families moved to Miami, Florida. It was there, where they met at a bus stop close to the neighborhood where they both lived, one street apart. High school sweethearts, they graduated from Miami Jackson High School, Bob in 1948 and Barbara in 1951.

Bob attended the University of Miami and the University of Georgia, where he set his sights on attending Medical School. As fate would have it, he ended up being accepted to Dental School because there was no space for him in Medical School at the University of Tennessee at the time he had applied. But just before he moved, he asked Barbara to marry him, and so it was. Bob thrived in school and ended up loving dentistry. Barbara worked at a bank supporting them both. She often told the story of seeing Elvis across the street from the bank filling up his Cadillac. Bob’s first position as a dentist required they move to Milledgeville, Georgia, as a part of the dental staff at Milledgeville State Hospital.

It was in 1957 Bob and Barbara moved to Winter Garden, Florida, where Bob bought Dr. Pankey’s practice on Plant Street. The same year, Bob joined the Rotary Club, of which he was passionate. He maintained a perfect attendance record, 66 years, up until he became ill.

In 1958, Barbara gave birth to their only child, “Bobby.”

In 1963, Bob moved his practice to Main Street, where he remained until retirement.

Barbara and Bob were devout Christians. They were members of Calvary Assembly for 40 years and later attended Found Life Church. Had Barbara lived until Dec. 26, they would have been married 70 years.

Bob and Barbara are survived by their son, Robert Rykiel-Foster, and Barbara’s brother, Larry Collins.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Barbara and Bob, hosted by the Rotary Club of Winter Garden, to be held at Tanner Hall at 29 W. Garden Ave, Winter Garden, Florida, from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, May 2, 2024. This is a casual event with snacks and beverages.

At 7 p.m., we’ll encourage attendees to offer their memories. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to The Alzheimer’s Association, The Rotary Club of Winter Garden Foundation or The Mayo Clinic.