Entomology Department Bids Farewell to John E. Foster, former Department Head and Faculty Emeritus

The Entomology Department is sad to announce the death of Dr. John E. Foster, former Department Head and Emeritus Professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Entomology Department. Foster, 84, of Lincoln, NE, died on Oct. 1, 2024, at The Waterford at Wilderness Hills.

According to Dr. John Ruberson, professor and current chair of the Entomology Department, Foster was a "life-long friend of the department, and played a key role in building strong and productive international connections in the department and university that endure to this day."

His obituary, prepared by his daughter, Dr. Cherie Foster, provides a good background on his life and career accomplishments. A memorial service will be held on Friday, Oct. 4th, 3 p.m., Hickman Presbyterian Church, 300 East Third St., Hickman, NE. There will be a private burial later in Lesterville, MO.

Foster was born in Lesterville, MO, on May 22, 1940. He was married to Joyce Parker Foster from 1963 to 1989.  On. Sept. 18, 1993, he married Karen Hartley Foster, who preceded him in death in 2023.

He earned a BA from Central Methodist University in 1964, an MS in Entomology in 1966 from the University of Missouri, and a Ph.D. in Entomology, Plant Breeding and Genetics from Purdue University in 1971.

Foster served as a professor at Purdue University in Entomology from 1970 to 1989, with a joint position with the USDA-ARS focusing on Research, Biotechnology and Agronomy. In 1990, he moved to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and served as the Department Head and Professor of Entomology and Courtesy Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture, while continuing his research in plant genetics. Foster additional served as interim dean of International Programs in Agriculture. During his career, he mentored more than 60 graduate students, published around 285 peer-reviewed scientific papers and authored many textbooks. 

He was a member of the Entomological Society of America (ESA) and Sigma Xi. Foster received numerous awards, including the John V. Osmun Alumni Professional Achievement Award at Purdue University, the International Plant Protection Award of Distinction, the Outstanding International Scholar Award by Phi Beta Delta, and the Outstanding Scientist Award from Sigma Xi. Foster additionally received listings in Who's Who in American Men and Women of Science and Who's Who in America. Since 2013, Foster was a professor emeritus of Entomology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Foster is survived by his daughter, Cherie, six siblings (Doyle, George, Judy, Patricia, Roy and Kevin), stepchildren, Denise Philpot and Michael Hartley, grandchildren, Molly Ballue, Lindey Philpot, Samantha Shew and Taylor Jungens, as well as nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Frieda Foster, and his sister, Jennie Foster.