Alan "Foster" Smith

Smith, Alan “Foster” died on Friday, August 16 in Wichita, KS. Foster was born on June 10, 1949 to Gaylord and Ramona (Custer) Smith. A graduate of Southeast High School during the time of the Vietnam War, he joined R.O.T.C. at Wichita State, from where he graduated. On June 3, 1972 Foster married Kathleen Youngers and they had two sons, Kyle and Corey. After college, Foster joined the Army as part of The Big Red One and was stationed at Ft. Riley, KS. Foster’s career was mostly with the aircraft companies in Wichita. He worked in contract-negotiations and accounting. His marriage to Kathy ended after 18 years and he later married Janet Ritchie on June 18, 1994. They had recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. During the first 3 years of their marriage Foster and Janet managed Geckos Mexican Café for their friend Tom Futo. Foster was passionate about Bowling, Golf, The Shrine, dancing, making pancakes on Sunday mornings for his grandkids, and having the best-looking yard on the block. He looked good in any color (just ask him). He was the President of the Shrine Bowling Unit for several years and a member of the Arab Patrol Unit. Foster was predeceased by his parents Gaylord M. Smith and Ramona C. Myers and his first grandson Caleb A. Smith. He is survived by his wife, Janet Smith, his sons Kyle Smith and Corey Smith, and grandchildren, Claire, Karsyn, Logan, and Greysen Smith, and his brother, Gaylord G. Smith (Kit) and their children. He is also survived by Janet’s daughter, Chris (Mark) Sevart, son, Geoff (Ashley) Amend, son Greg Horsley, and 11 step-grandchildren. A memorial has been established with the Midian Plane of Mercy, 130 N. Topeka, Wichita, KS 67202-2406. The Plane of Mercy provides free transportation to patients and their families to and from the Shrine Hospitals where they also received free care.