Ralph Foster

Born in Virgil, NY on December 27, 1923 Departed on January 15, 2016 and resided in Crossville, TN Visitation: Hendersonville Funeral Home Room: Stateroom AWednesday January 20, 2016 4:00pm to 8:00pmTime of Remembrance: Hendersonville Funeral Home Room: Stateroom AWednesday January 20, 2016 7:30pm

Ralph Edward Foster, age 92, passed away January 15, 2016.

Ralph grew up as part of a hard working farming family, the third oldest of eleven children, to Ray and Fanny (Kryger) Foster. He left home at a young age to support the family, living and working on family farms in the local area.

Ralph married Ruth Elizabeth Lake, of Cortland, New York in April 1949. He worked for Gutchess Lumber in Cortland and went on to work for many years at the State University of New York at Cortland, as a stationary engineer in the power plant. In 1977, Ralph and Ruth moved to Nashville, Tennessee and Ralph worked as a stationary engineer at Vanderbilt University. After retiring in 1989, Ralph worked part time and most importantly cared for Ruth during her illness with Alzheimer's. Ralph spent his last years near his son, Jack, in Crossville, Tennessee.
Ralph enjoyed gardening, was a skilled craftsman, taking on many complex projects and was an all-around great handyman. But what Ralph may be best remembered for by many was his great harmonica playing skills! Ralph and Ruth enjoyed many trips around the country visiting the many places Jack and John lived over the years.
Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Ruth (Lake) Foster, his loving wife of 54 years. He is survived by his sons, Jack (Jeanne) Foster, of Crossville, Tennessee and John (Becky) Foster, of West Lebanon, New Hampshire; his grandchildren, Jessica Duke and Jeremy Foster, both of Lebanon, Tennessee; and his great-grandchildren, Laytn, Jackson, Ashlyn and Greyson.
Visitation will be held at Hendersonville Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. with a time of remembrance beginning at 7:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association.