ROBERT A. FOSTER

Robert A. Foster, a writer and editor for the Telegram & Gazette newspapers in Worcester, Mass., for 38 years, died on Thursday, April 29, 2010, at Huntington Common. He was 83.

Mr. Foster retired to Kennebunk in 1989, and for three years worked part-time for The Portland Press Herald writing articles about Southern Maine people and events.

He was born in Greenwich, Conn., son of the late Gayle A. and Elizabeth S. Foster. He graduated from Gould Academy in Bethel, served 14 months in the Navy at the end of World War II and earned degrees from Bates College and the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism.

During his years with the Worcester newspapers, he served as reporter, business writer, movie reviewer, city editor, news editor and editorial writer.

When a tornado cut a swath through Worcester in 1953, killing 93 people, he wrote a series on survivors’ experiences inside the twister. He also wrote an article about the tornado that appeared in Woman’s Day magazine and led to his selling 83 more articles to Woman’s Day over the next 11 years. He also sold articles to the New York Times Magazine, Holiday, Newsweek and Coronet.

In 1967, his newspaper series, “Our Merging Industries,” won first prize in national business writing contests of both the John Hancock Insurance Co. and the University of Missouri. In 1987 and 1989, he won first prizes for editorial writing from the New England Press Executives Association.

Mr. Foster also taught journalism at Becker Junior College in Worcester for seven years.

He had a keen, lifelong interest in classical music. He owned some 1,500 records, tapes and CDs. He read widely and in retirement made a hobby of gardening.

He leaves his wife, Catharine W. Foster; a son, Mark S. Foster of Bay Village, Ohio, a daughter, Dr. Cynthia R. Smith of Dayton, Ohio; a sister, Jean F. Sylvester of Topsham; and four grandchildren.

A family graveside service will be held in June.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Bradford Court at Huntington Common for the devoted care and love they gave to Mr. Foster in recent months.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Beacon Hospice, Inc., 42 Brickyard Court, York, ME 03909