Bob Foster

(From Clark Funeral Home)

Bob Foster, age 90 of Neosho, entered in rest on February 5, 2022 after a short illness.

Bob Foster was born October 4, 1931, on the family farm in McKinley, north of Marionville,

He was the fourth son born to John and Lucy (Head) Foster. His first jobs were a Grit paper route and picking strawberries and apples while in grade school. All monies earned during World War II were invested in war bonds. 

While in grade school his brother Johnnie notified the school that he would fly low over school yard with his B-24 Bomber on his way to Europe. He was later killed in action on a bombing raid over Germany. Bob graduated from Marionville High School in 1949. Later he attended NEO and Joplin Junior College (now Missouri Southern University).

Bob enlisted in the Army and served during in the Korean War from 1952-1955. He was assigned to Linz, Austria, where he supervised displaced persons from World War II. He was responsible for shipping World War II vehicles to NATO countries.

He enjoyed skiing in the Austrian Alps and upon return to the states he became a proficient water skier on area lakes. He enjoyed teaching others to ski. He was an avid outdoors person.

Bob was working for General Dynamics in Fort Worth, TX when he learned Rocketdyne was building a plant in Neosho, MO. The employees sensed something big was planned when Wemher von Braun, a German American aerospace engineer and space architect, visited the plant and stated Neosho Rocketdyne would be building a large rocket that would be used to propel man to the moon.

All of the employees ofRocketdyne in Neosho were proud when the engines that powered the Apollo Moon Shot were manufactured in Neosho. He later held management positions at Continental Motors and Teledyne. He received numerous awards for suggesting ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. He was employed by Rocketdyne until it closed.

In 1970 he decided to make Neosho his lifetime home. He obtained his Real Estate Broker License in 1985. He was a founding member of the Newton-McDonald Board of Realtors and started Red Carpet Realty.

He was a faithful member of the First Christian Church of Neosho and served as a Board Chairman, Sunday School Superintendent, Teacher, Chairman of the Day Care Board, Chairman of Newton-Jasper County Men's Association. He served the community as a Lions Club president and a Crowder Booster Club president.

Bob served as President of Super Stop convenience stores of Missouri, President ofN & M Concrete, President of Pat O'Reilly Oil Company and President of Otto Car Washes. He was instrumental in getting Flying J to locate on 32nd St. in Joplin.

Bob and Evelyn were married on June 17, 1961 at the first Christian Church and shared 59 years together. He is survived by two sisters, Adalee Todhunter and Bonnie Burgess of Republic and Springfield and a sister-in-law, Imogene Foster of Dallas, Texas; two children, Susan (Jim) Jackson of Neosho and James (Michele) Foster of Springfield, MO; seven grandchildren, Heather (John) Stafford of Leawood, Kansas, Amanda (Tanner) Smith of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Cassie and Martin Foster of Joplin, and Claire, Owen, and Max Plaster; great­ grandchildren, Lauren, Charlotte, Connor Stafford, Claire, Cate, Wyatt and Jack Smith and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, and Evelyn, He is preceded in death by a son, John Foster, and three brothers, Johnnie, Joe, and Floyd.

Memorial Service
Friday, February 25, 2022
1:00 PM
First Christian Church 1314 S. Oak Ridge Dr.
Neosho, MO 64850

Contributions in memory of Bob may be made to the First Christian Church, c/o Clark Funeral Home, PO Box 66; Neosho, Missouri 64850