Richard Foster | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Alaska House of Representatives from the 39th district (23rd district 1989–1993, 38th district 1993–2003) | |
| In office January 9, 1989 – October 13, 2009 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Springer |
| Succeeded by | Neal Foster |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 9, 1946 Nome, Alaska |
| Died | October 13, 2009 (aged 63) Seattle, Washington |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Cathy |
| Children | Neal, Jimmy, Myria, Justin, Tiffany, Richard, Nathan, Ramsey, Chandler (born between 1972 and 1989) |
| Residence(s) | Nome, Alaska |
| Alma mater | University of Alaska |
| Occupation | Air taxi operator |
Neal Richard Foster[1] (August 9, 1946 – October 13, 2009) was a Democratic member of the Alaska House of Representatives, representing various districts centered on Nome, Alaska from 1989 until his death. Though a Democrat, he frequently caucused with the Republicans and served for a period of time as the Majority Whip.
He died of a heart attack while receiving treatment for kidney disease.[2] His oldest son, Neal Foster, was appointed to replace him, and was elected to his own term in 2010.
At the time of his death, he was the second longest-serving member in the history of the Alaska House, behind Carl Moses, who also represented western Alaska (Max Gruenberg surpassed his tenure in October 2015). He was also a second-generation member of the Alaska Legislature; his father, Neal W. "Willie" Foster (1916-1979), served one term apiece in the Alaska Senate representing Nome before and following statehood.