Roll Call Tribute

Bob Preston Foster 

December 3, 1937 - July 10, 2024 

Dr. Bob Preston Foster, surrounded by family, left this world to the arms of His Heavenly Father on July 10, 2024 after a lengthy struggle with dementia.

Known by most as “Dr. Bob,” he was born December 3, 1937 in Jacksonville, Texas to Preston and Opal Foster and grew up on a tomato farm there. After graduating Texas A&M University in 1959, he married Tonya Dodson. He attended University of Texas Dental School in Houston and next served at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida as a dentist before choosing Athens to set up his dental practice in 1964. It was soon evident that Bob had picked the perfect vocation. He had an almost eidetic memory and a huge love for people. His patients adored him and his staff became family to his and Tonya’s own growing family, many working with him for decades.

Bob’s love of God’s word manifested not only in his own home, but in mentoring countless young men as a Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church in Athens, many of whom he kept relationships with the rest of his life. As his faith grew, so did his role in the church, serving as a deacon and on numerous mission trips, teaching an adult men’s class, and taking part on almost every church committee (except music!). Bob was respected for his wisdom with that rare meld of the truth in love the apostle Paul spoke of in his letter to the Ephesians.

A 49 year member of the Kiwanis Club of Athens, Bob was integral in community leadership and projects, serving as local president, district representative, establishing Kiwanis Park, and leading the Annual Pancake Day, for which he never missed operating a grill, even after a little mishap that left some eyebrows raised and others quite singed.

After retirement in 2007 and with all five of their children raised, Bob and Tonya took to the road in an R.V., touring all over the U.S. and into Canada, often with a grandchild or two in tow. His passions for gardening and cooking were well known. He shared heirloom tomato plants grown from seed, never more happy than when giving away the fruits of his labor. As an integral member of the East Texas Arboretum, he could be found doing everything from planting or weeding beds at the Wofford House, to board meetings, to shoveling manure - either with a shovel or with his friends.

In 2023, Bob and Tonya moved to The Woodlands, Texas to be near family. At the memory care home where he finished his life, he continued to cultivate friendships and serve others, a constant source of joy and encouragement to those around him.

Dr. Bob is survived by wife Tonya, children Cherie (Greg Colburn), Jim, Cliff (Lisa), Scott (Leigh Anna), and Jennifer (Darren Hanson). He has 12 grandchildren and six greatgrandchildren. Bob is also survived by his sister Opal Cobb and brother Donny Foster.

A come-and-go celebration of Bob’s life will be held 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm on July 15th at East Texas Arboretum. Services are under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Texans on Mission (www.TexansOnMission.org) or East Texas Arboretum (www.easttexasarboretum.org/).