Phillip Paul Foster

Phillip Paul Foster, 81, of Camby, Indiana, passed peacefully at home on May 26, 2024. He was born in Macedonia, Illinois on September 24, 1942, to the late Floyd and Vesta (Sanders) Foster. Phil graduated from Benton High School in 1960 and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1963 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1965. Phil married Janet Smiley in 1990, and she survives. 

In the late ’70s and early ’80s, while working as a contracting officer at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana, Phil had an outfitting business guiding elk and deer hunts into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Eventually, Phil moved to Indiana to continue his civil service career at Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center where he retired. He spent 25 years in total working for the Department of Defense. 

Phil loved the outdoors and enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, and hunting. When he wasn’t outside, Phil was rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was a great cook, especially for breakfast. After retirement, Phil and Janet spent the winters in Florida and the summers in Montana on a cattle ranch. Through the friendships he developed in Montana guiding hunts, Phil and Janet became summer caretakers at the Holland Ranch in Cascade where they helped manage the land. They fished the Missouri River, the Gulf of Mexico, and local rivers. Phil and Janet enjoyed many years of retirement together, before moving back to Indiana when Phil’s health prohibited him from traveling. 

Phil was passionate about sharing his knowledge. He was a well-respected friend and colleague and will be missed by all who knew him. 

Phil leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Janet Foster; sons, Preston Foster, Eric Foster, Steve Lacer (wife, Angie), Jeff Lacer (wife, Michelle); sister, Janice Reinhardt (husband, David); grandchildren, Ashlee Peters (husband, Greg), Jessica Schell (husband, Austin); great-grandchildren, Emma, Owen, and one on the way. 

Following Phil’s wishes, he will be cremated. 

Please visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or sign the online guest registry.