Wayne Foster — husband, father, craftsman, friend to many, artist, and lover of music, books, gardening, and conversation — died at age 58 on June 8, 2014 after a six year fight with thyroid cancer. His family — wife of 32 years Catherine Erickson, sons Graham and Martin Foster, daughter-in-law Lauren — were with him, and he died on his eldest son’s birthday. To Wayne, it was evidence of the cycle of life, and the eternal bond of a family that was more important to him than anything else.
Wayne had the heart of an artist and loved all art forms, especially music. His first concert, in 1971, was the Allman Brothers at San Francisco’s Winterland, one of Duane Allman’s final shows. It began a love of listening to and playing music that stuck with Wayne. His last concert occurred in his home, just a few weeks before his death, when Dave Alvin and Christy McWilson performed for him in his living room. Mr. Alvin had not yet met Wayne, but had heard what a special man he was. That was the effect Wayne had.
Wayne grew up in the Bay Area. He met his wife Cathy in 1975 in Humboldt County where he went to school and fought fire during the summers; they soon found their paradise on 40 wooded acres there.
They married in 1981 and moved to Seattle where Wayne worked at Cellophane Square. He then began his career as a skilled carpenter and craftsman. He could craft almost anything with wood, and remodeled five of his own homes. He said the skill was “genetic, passed down from my father.” His dad was an early machinist at Hewlett-Packard. Wayne’s unique approach went beyond blueprints and captured a Zen-like essence to his wood-grain infused projects.
Wayne’s generosity was boundless with friends, which he made wherever he went and kept as long as he lived. He was “the host with the most,” and his parties would invariably include musical jams running late into the night with an ever-changing group of musical friends he often referred to as the Richmond Beach Ramblers.
Wayne cared deeply for all living things. He maintained a righteous garden. Over time, he had five beloved dogs — Noche, Kiera, Sheena, Nelly, and Stella who went everywhere with him.
In 2006 Wayne and Catherine moved to Innis Arden to live near the trails and natural setting of the Blue Heron Reserve. Wayne walked Richmond Beach with Stella nearly every day, and he had a knack for finding beach glass that was uncanny.
Wayne was reluctant to leave this life, where he found so much beauty and so much love, but he never expressed regret or saw his illness as defining who he was. “We’ve created a great life together,” he would often say to his wife. And that they most certainly did.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be held Friday, June 20, at 3p.m. at the Innis Arden Clubhouse – 1440 NW 188th St., Shoreline. Music will be played. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his name may be made to People for Puget Sound –www.pugetsound.org. Share memories on his online obituary at www.funerals.coop.