Kenneth C. Forster

Kenneth C. Forster – 88, of Reston, Virginia, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, in Norwell, Massachusetts. An authority of American pottery and decorative ceramic tiles, an Author, an Uncle, a Linguist, and a treasured friend who loved to travel. His charming presence will be deeply missed.

Born 1937, in Sunderland, County Durham, England. Ken is the youngest of two sons of the late George H. and Hilda W. Forster (née Cowell). He is the younger brother of the late G. Raymond Forster, and the brother in law of Sylvia Forster (née Summerscales).

While satisfying his National Service as a Gunner in the UK Royal Navy Ken was exposed to Russian Tutorials which nourished his love of languages. Ken was a graduate of Oxford University, New College (1957-61) where he matriculated his B.A. In Modern Languages. His time at New College in many ways shaped his perspective on life.

Early in his career, while at the BBC Transcription Service, he met many of the live performers during the initial years of the BBC Program - “Top of the Pops”. Including, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Kinks, The Supremes, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, and The Animals.

Ken immigrated to Dallas, Texas in 1967, where he built his life with his late partner Eugene Reynolds, eventually growing their business in Baltimore, Maryland and finally in Falls Church, Virginia; where Gene died in 2004. Gene was the love of Ken’s life and he missed him everyday. He said, “he was never wrong in Gene’s eyes.”

A longtime collector of American decorative ceramics, Ken was a respected dealer in American art pottery and other applied art. He authored four published in-depth studies of American Ceramics and European Decorative Tiles. They include, “UND Pottery: A History and Comparative Study” (2004), “Alternative American Ceramics, 1870-1955: The Other American Art Pottery” (2011), “Biographies in American Ceramic Art: 1870-1970” (2011) and “Tiles & Styles―Jugendstil & Secession: Art Nouveau and Arts & Crafts Design in German and Central European Decorative Tiles, 1895-1935” (2015).

Ken loved to travel, explore and meet new people. At 82, he completed his last solo sailing voyage - beginning in Vancouver, British Columbia to Sao Paolo, Brazil. The Drake’s Passage - the notoriously wild stretch of ocean connecting the Pacific and Atlantic between Chile and Antarctica - provided some memorable seafaring adventure on his month long voyage. Vienna, Austria always held a special place in his heart. Vienna is where he completed his Oxford practical language study abroad requirement, and he returned there often. He maintained fond memories of the Italian isle of Ischia and a year of employment in Malaysia.

Ken is survived by his nephew Anthony Raymond (Tony) Forster; his niece in law Beverly Forster (England) and their two daughters Sophie (England) and Abi (Canada). Ken fostered many meaningful relationships including his longtime friends Bob Shores and Dale Jones (West Virginia), fellow dealers who helped redirect grief in the wake of Gene’s death. The friendship with Nader Hanna and Ted Glinsky (Virginia) opened up the world of Reston and the social connections of the Dulles Triangles Social Club. Ken was honored to serve as best man in their wedding. John Aliband (England), an Oxford classmate and a close friend is fondly remembered. Skip Fernandes (Virginia) was caretaker and a close friend who championed the final years. There are numerous Oxford based, Career connected and Dulles Triangles social friends that added zest to his life and he appreciated all of you. A special note of appreciation and thanks to the staff at Brightview Senior Living (Great Falls, VA), The Cordwainer Assisted Living (Norwell, MA) and Caring Hospice Service of Massachusetts.

His dedication to art, his love for travel, and his pursuit of knowledge reflect a person who embraced life with enthusiasm and grace. The memories he created, whether through his work, adventures, or friendships, speak to a vibrant spirit that touched many hearts. A Celebration of Life Ceremony is being planned for Spring 2026 in Reston, Virginia, where a living memorial tree will be planted.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ken’s memory can be made to Dulles Triangles Social Club, https://www.dullestriangles.com/ or Friends of Reston, https://www.reston.org/189/Friends-of-Reston, they coordinate the memorial tree program in Reston. You can also reach them by email at [email protected].

Peace on Earth today and each day to follow.