In Memory

William Foeste



 
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12/01/19 09:33 PM #1    

James Nys (Nys)

BROOKLYN, N.Y. - It is with profound sorrow that we say goodbye to our brother, Bill - a gentle man, with a killer sense of humor, who was passionate about life, the importance of education and preserving our environment. He dedicated his life to helping others less fortunate than he. Bill focused on building relationships, not accumulating possessions. He was a man with whom everyone, young and old, could relate. Bill passed away Aug. 27, 2007, at home with his beloved wife, Joan, at his side.
He was a voracious reader and his many friends can attest to the breadth of his knowledge. His travels took him to England, France, Spain, Algeria, Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Belize, Haiti, Canada and throughout the United States.
One of Bill's mantras was "appreciate the finer points of life." He modeled that behavior. Dining with Bill was a special treat as he savored every morsel and perfected the art of the "lookie." He never met a vegetable he didn't love. His nieces would tell you he was a trendsetter. He was sporting Converse shoes (in every color) and wide ties before anyone else thought they were cool. Children were drawn to him like the Pied Piper; neighborhood kids always knew when Bill was home from college and asked "can Billy come out and play" - and he did. His love of children never wavered and he made it his personal responsibility to help many children obtain a higher education. Their lives will forever be changed.
 

Bill was an environmentalist long before it became fashionable. Conversations with Bill always contained some salient point about the importance of changing our wasteful ways to avoid the "tipping point." His environmental footprint was small, his personal one was huge. He will be greatly missed.
 

Bill was born on Sept. 6, 1948, in Billings. He spent his first eight years in Bridger. After moving to Billings, the next 10 years revolved around school, fishing, hunting, baseball, his paper route and, as Dad would say, "walking around with his head in the clouds." After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1970, he attended medical school at the University of Colorado. Just prior to receiving his medical degree in 1974, he completed a cardiology/urology clerkship in Manchester, England. The remainder of his medical career was spent as a board certified internist for Kings County Addictive Disease Hospital, part-time Medical Director of the Woodhull Care Center and internist at the Community Health Center in Brooklyn.
 

He is survived by his soul mate and beloved wife, Joan Spence-Foeste; his brother, Arthur E. Foeste (Joan) of Madison, Wis.; sisters Jane F. Wittenwyler (Ronald) of Des Moines, Iowa, and Kay F. Goepfert (Walter) of Madison; goddaughter, Hershley Philogene of Brooklyn; and nieces and nephews located around the world. He was preceded in death by his father, Arthur A. Foeste, MD; his mother, Audrey B. Foeste; and infant brother, Robert C. Foeste.
 

A memorial service was held in Brooklyn on Sunday, Sept. 2. It was Bill's wish that memorials be made to the St. Labre Indian School, Tongue River Road, Ashland, MT 59004.
To honor our brother, Bill, please seize the day, hug your children, simplify your lives and turn out the lights.

This obituary was originally published in the Billings Gazette.


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