Thomas Ronald Foster

Thomas Ronald Foster (74) passed away peacefully on April 23, 2022. 

While growing up Thomas was known as Ronnie. Ronnie was born in Long Island, New York on February 21, 1948. Ronnie was adopted at 14 months by his parents, Dorothy and Thomas Foster in Massapequa Park Long Island. Ronnie joined his two older sisters, Marion and Linda, and about ten years later his younger sister Susan completed their family. Growing up, Ronnie was very active in both the Cub and Boy Scouts with his dad. He went to many scouting camps and enjoyed his time with scouts but treasured the time he spent with his dad. When Ronnie was in junior high, his family moved to Dover, Delaware to be near Aunt Marion and Uncle Henry, after his dad retired from being a milkman. He attended Central Middle School and helped his family out at the small store they purchased when they moved here. It was later on that the family sold their store and moved to Camden Delaware where Ronnie graduated from Caesar Rodney in 1966.

After graduation, Ronnie served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Humbly so, he never spoke much about his time in the service. However, he received several distinguished honors such as the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/4 Bronze Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter (Rifle) Army Commendation Medal w/1 Oak Leaf Cluster. He spoke often of his time in Texas and Louisiana and the way they “spiced” the food to his liking.

Upon returning, Ronnie met his beloved Diana through his Aunt Gwen and Uncle Dave. They were very happy and built their home in Woodside. Ronnie built that home with his dad and it was his pride and joy. Diana taught school and he was a maintenance for a couple of apartment complexes in Dover and Milford. Diana and Ronnie adopted their sons completing their family shortly after completing their home. 

While they raised their children, Ronnie started to introduce himself to friends and family as Tom. Tom coached youth soccer with CDSA for several years. He was very active in local scouts with the youth. Tom along with his wife Diana was involved in Camden Wyoming Little League where he was an umpire for a very long time. Tom volunteered his time with the Lions Club. After retiring as a maintenance worker, Tom delivered newspapers for several years. Recently, Tom became very ill and was hospitalized for most of the last couple of years.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his loving wife of over 40 years, Diana Foster, and his parents Dorothy and Thomas Foster.

Tom is survived by his loving beautiful granddaughter Abigail Foster, who was the reason his heart kept beating for so long. He is also survived by his “grandchildren of the heart”, Seth Scheas, Melodee Masten, Hunter Masten, and John Masten, II. Tom is also survived by Tiffani, his devoted caregiver since Diana passed in June 2021, and her husband JD Masten. He is also survived by his sisters, Linda (Eddie), Marion (Art), and Susan (Roger). Tom is also survived by a good friend for over 30 years Cookie and her husband, Jack Reed. As well as, Mary Ellen Masten, who opened up her home for him during his hospice care. Tom leaves behind many family and friends.

Tom's final request was to have no services. In lieu of flowers, Tom would like you to consider donations made in his name to either Compassionate Care Hospice (416 Williams St Suite 101, Milford, DE 19963), who took such phenomenal care of him, especially his nurses Erin and Ireka, or the Del-Mar-Va Council Boy Scouts of America (1910 Baden Powell Way, Dover, DE 19904), an organization close to his heart. In addition, Tom would like to thank Dover Family Physicians, in particular, Dr. Rubacky, Dr. Patel, Dr. Fletcher, Dr. Peters, Dr. Shah, and nurse Holly, for the phenomenal medical care they have given him these past couple of years as well as the support they gave his caregiver, Tiffani.

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