Charles (Charlie) Turney Foster, son of the late Mark and Louella Foster, was called to help manage God's forest on December 18, 2017 after a valiant battle with cancer. Preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Kathleen Foster (d. 2017), his story continues on through their children, Wendy Hart (Kevin), Vicky Eggleston (Bryan) and Brian Foster; brother Angus Foster (Zandra); brothers-in-law Campbell Wade (Mary Ann, d. 2016) and Larry Thrasher (Joyce); sisters-in-law Pat Both (Dan) and Susan Kelly (Bill); grandchildren, Justin and Nathan Hart, Kelsey and Kylie Eggleston; many loving nieces, nephews and extended family; and numerous friends. 

Charlie was born on September 10, 1946 in Buffalo, N.Y., and spent his childhood in New York, Ohio and Virginia. He graduated from North Carolina State University in 1968 with a degree in Forestry and later earned a degree in Science Education from Ohio University-Lancaster in 1987. In 1969, Charlie was hired by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources as a Service Forester. He married Kathleen Thrasher on August 29, 1971 and in 1976, accepted the post of Forest Manager at the Hocking State Forest in Hocking County, Ohio. 

During his tenure at the Hocking State Forest, Charlie and his crew oversaw and managed timber sales, laid out numerous trails, put out forest fires, founded the Rock-climbing and Rappelling Area and the Horseman's Camp, hosted annual Fall Color Tours, volunteered at the annual Winter Hikes and local fairs and established connections with community and educational institutions for outreach and training programs. Charlie was among those awarded a Lifesaving Team Award for the multiple cliff rescues carried out in the State Forest and surrounding State Parks. After retiring from ODNR, he worked for several years at Saving Hardware and was a member of various boards and commissions for the causes he championed.

Charlie was a loving father, devoted husband, witty brother and friend, talented educator and scout master, dedicated forester, and a tireless voice for civility, human rights and environmental causes. His story will continue through those for whom he made a difference and in the lasting legacy of the forest and family he so cherished. 

A memorial service with reception following will be held at Grace United Church of Christ in Lancaster, Ohio on January 13, 2018 at 11:00AM, along with an hour of visitation prior to the service from 10AM to 11AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to FairHoPe Hospice and Palliative Care (282 Sells Rd, Lancaster, Ohio 43130), the Southern Poverty Law Center (400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama 36104), and/or the Endowment Fund of the Grace United Church of Christ (1185 Pleasantville Rd, Lancaster, Ohio 43130).