Michael "Pappy" Joseph Thomas Foster

Mike was born March 7, 1944 to Dr. Ray T. Foster and Rita A. Foster in Columbus, OH. He grew up in New Castle, IN. The eldest of six children Mike enjoyed being the big brother to his five younger siblings.

After attending Saint Meinrad for high school he studied and received a Degree in Mathematics from Bellarmine College in 1966.

Mike then went to the University of Kentucky for one year and taught Mathematics while simultaneously continuing his studies towards a Master's degree, when he was offered a job with Honeywell Computers first as a Programmer and then as a Systems Analyst.

Part of his time with Honeywell was working on the Apollo Mission's Environmental Control Systems - a tidbit of knowledge he loved to drop.

He later transitioned to a programming position in the Healthcare Industry where he wrote the code for an EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Platform that ultimately led to what is seen in hospital's today: automated inventory updating when Nurses or Physicians scan drugs or other supplies.

Mike had three children with his late ex-wife, Haze: Tina Foster, the late Tamara Ann Keene, and Roy Foster.

Mike - or Pappy as he was affectionately known by grandchildren and just about anyone who knew him well - was born to be a Dad and Pappy.

Absolutely nothing brought Mike more joy than being with his kids and grandkids and taking them on hikes, bike rides, out fishing, ice skating on the occasional frozen pond, reading stories to them, sitting and talking with them or belting out church hymns at Mass at the top of his lungs, thusly embarrassing said kids and grandkids in the process.

Everyone enjoyed seeing Mike doing his patented 'Pappy Hula' dance with his hips and back half shifting back and forth as he made THE World's best popcorn in a 22-qt pot on the stovetop - shaking the pot vigorously to make sure no kernels were left out of the hot oil.

He loved going to the movie theater - especially to see Science Fiction movies and Comedies including seeing the original 'Ghostbusters' FIFTEEN times in the theatre with his son - laughing hysterically at all the right moments. He then saw it once more in the theater for its 35th anniversary rerelease with his son and grandson!

Mike was a bit of a lead foot but should have written a book on how to get out of speeding tickets - without lying - as he was pulled over so often and yet was only ever given warnings after explaining the particulars to the officers!

His laugh - good grief - the man's face while laughing should be in the dictionary under the word 'GUFFAW' because his laugh was infectious as he'd throw his head back with his mouth agape and ROAR with laughter.

His wealth and breadth of knowledge were incredible; he could literally talk for hours about almost any subject ranging from Astronomy to Greek or Latin languages to the inner workings of computers, photography, history, internal combustion engines or all things Math-related.

He loved being given a Math problem and solving it in his head before his kids or grandkids could solve it while they used a calculator. Before Skype or FaceTime existed Uncle Mike helped numerous nephews and nieces on landline telephone calls (look it up) with their Math homework when the subject matter was finally over their own parents' heads.

His photography skills were fantastic and he won the cover for the Louisville Zoo's annual calendar contest TWICE. His favorite Zoo photograph was of two African Zebras rump to rump showing them only from mid-torso back; he named it 'Bookends'.

You would be hard pressed to find anyone as generous as Mike was. The expression 'giving someone the shirt off their back' would have been an understatement for Mike. If one of his kids or grandkids brought a friend over they were mixed into the fold - no questions asked.

Mike attended 45+ Kentucky Derbys in a row, always enjoying one too many Mint Juleps because the first Saturday in May he'd say was "the only day of the year I let my hair down."

While out Deep Sea fishing in 1980 in the Gulf of Mexico following a recent hurricane, Mike caught a 6-foot, 200+ pound Goliath Grouper. He was in the Bradenton Newspaper in Florida and they sent the story and photo up here to the Courier-Journal in Louisville where they quoted him as saying "I couldn't tell a fish story about it because I couldn't stretch my arms longer than the fish!"

He absolutely adored his children and grandchildren and made whoever he was talking to feel like they were the only person in the room and therefore the most important person in the World.

Mike was preceded in death by both of his parents, his ex-wife with whom he'd become reacquainted following her cancer diagnosis, his daughter Tamara Ann, his sister, Dr. Julia Foster-Armstrong and his brother, Richard Foster.

Mike is survived by his daughter, Tina Marie Foster and her children: Joshua (Ginna), Megan Elise and Emma Rose; Tamara's children: Brian and Nathan Morton; and his son, Dr. Roy Foster (Dr. Lisa) and their children: Grant, Drew and Will. Pappy also doted on his great-grandkids: Houston, Joni, Jacob and Renlee. Three of his siblings survive him: Dr. Peter Foster, Dr. Chris Foster and Mary Ann Foster.

A Memorial Visitation will be held at Kraft Funeral Service, 2776 Charlestown Road, New Albany, Indiana, 47170 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm on Saturday, June 8th, 2024.

There will be a private Catholic funeral service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you take the time to sit down with your own families and watch a great movie together while enjoying a bucket of popcorn. And don't forget to layer the butter.