He was immortalized by the knowledge he passed on to his students.
He was an innovator and trendsetter, attributed with the purchase of one of the first Apple computers and the formation of the Springfield High School motorcycle club in the 1950s.
He has his own item on the menu at the local Original Pancake House, “Fosterised bacon,” cooked until extra crisp.
On Sunday, a celebration of life for Professor Emeritus David George Foster will be held in the Gerlinger Alumni Lounge at the University from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Foster died Dec. 21, after an automobile accident in Springfield. He was 78.
A native Oregonian, Foster dedicated his life to teaching. He taught for three years at Springfield High School before moving to the University in 1957, where he taught for more than three decades, and was head of the art department from 1978-83.

“We all felt like we became his family,” said Ken O’Connell, a professor of art and a former student of Foster. “His students became lifelong friends.”
Foster’s commitment to his students went far outside the classroom. During the 1960s, Foster often spent weekends at home building equipment to help his students finish school projects. He believed his students had as much to offer him as he did them.
“He was just so passionate,” O’Connell said. “He had an incredible love of people and of spending time with them. He said you learn things by talking and exploring and considering.”
Foster brought a variety of programs to the University, including some of the first classes in photography, printing, film making and computers. He was a driving force in the development of sequential imagery and visual design programs; these courses became the foundation for the multimedia major.

Along with his involvement in the art department, Foster also cultivated an interest in teaching cross-disciplinary studies. He taught classes in architecture and art education and in the Clark Honors College.
After his retirement in 1990, Foster continued his involvement with the University. He maintained contact through substitute teaching and guest lecturing. Former student David Guynes established the David G. Foster endowment fund to encourage innovation and creativity in the fine arts.
Foster grew up during the Depression and served as an officer in the U.S. Army during World War II. He attended Willamette University, along with the University and the prestigious New Bauhaus, which later became part of the Illinois Institute of Technology. Foster also started Iron Rose Studio, a production house for short films and publications.
Foster exemplified change and embraced new technology with vigor and enthusiasm. During the 1950s, he bought one of the first Volkswagens in Eugene and later converted a VW van into a fully functional computer graphic workstation.
“He called the computer an instrument of change,” said O’Connell. “He said it wasn’t like a toaster or a radio. He just kept evolving as the world changed.”
Professor Emeritus David Foster is survived by his sister, Genevieve Luck; and three nieces, Dianne Bass, Judy Morse and Susan Roberts.
Memorial contributions can be made to the David G. Foster Endowed Fund, payable to the University of Oregon Foundation, P.O. Box 3346, Eugene, OR 97403.