Mark Foster
June 26, 1944 - October 09, 2018
Obituary
MIDDLETON/BLUE MOUNDS-Mark Foster, age 74, died unexpectedly on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2018, while tending his garden in rural Blue Mounds. Mark was born in Madison on June 26, 1944, to Dr. Mark A. and Dr. Ruth Caldwell Foster. His childhood was colored with extensive family travels and adventures in Madison and on the farm with friends and brother Jim. Mark was married in Madison on June 29, 1978, to Kathleen (Kathy) McConnell. Together they raised their daughter, Alexandra (Allie), with frequent visits from her brothers, Colin and Bran, sons from Mark’s former marriage.
Mark was a graduate of West High School and UW-Madison and held a B.A. in Math and M.A.s in Linguistics and Computer Science. For many years, he worked as a systems analyst for UW and was instrumental in designing the automation of Memorial Library. He was also a part of the fabric of Paul’s Bookstore dating from his teen years. Mark’s passion for and extensive knowledge of literature and music led to creating an online book business in retirement. He was also a valued member and volunteer for the Friends of the UW Memorial Public Library and Madison Public Libraries.
Mark was a kind and generous man, imaginative and inventive, with an amazing breadth of knowledge and playful sense of humor. He was an intense gardener and loved to bestow vegetables and books on all who were receptive. He especially enjoyed matching a book to a person’s interest.
Besides his wife, Kathy, Mark is survived by sons, Colin Mark (Nicole) and Bran Devon; grandchildren, Nicholas, Nathan, Elizabeth, Will and Evie; brothers, James and Thomas as well as their wives and children; sister- and brothers-in-law, Patty, Dave and Tim, their families; special friends, Arvid, Denise and Caryl; plus many other friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; his dear daughter, Alexandra; and former wife, Deborah Luckhardt.
An informal gathering to honor Mark’s life will occur at GUNDERSON WEST FUNERAL & CREMATION CARE, 7435 University Ave, from 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018. Memorials may be made to Friends of UW Memorial Library, Doctors Without Borders, or the American Heart Association. Please, no flowers. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Special thanks to country neighbors Kevin, Krista, Jack, Leigh, Dennis, and Todd, to the Iowa and Dane County sheriffs and EMTs, and for the support and kindness of so many.
Gunderson West
Funeral & Cremation Care
7435 University Ave.
(608) 831-6761
Events
Memorial Gathering
Sat Nov 3, 2018 @ 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Middleton • 7435 University Ave., Middleton, WI 53562
Photos
No photos of Mark have been shared yet.
Memories
GM
Gerry Max
Other •
Most saddened to hear about Mark, whom I have known for decades. We worked together at Paul's Bookstore in Madison in the mid-1970s, and met up from time to time at the 602 Club on University. Much of what I learned about the used book trade I learned from Mark. Not only was he a great book man, he was a genuine humanist and far-ranging thinker. He had a great sense of humor and appreciation for life's many absurdities. He will be missed, deeply missed. Gerry Max
BJ
Barbie (Stimpson) Jackson
Other •
Mark is a shining light on the inward eye, much as sunlight reflects on a ripple in a stream and then redirects at the next swell.
I entered the NLS project midstream and met Mark, who was to be my leader and mentor. We were all filled with the energy of youthful endeavor in those days, days that immediately preceded the onset of middle age and the change of consciousness and focus that accompanies that time of life. Mark welcomed me into the upper room of the NLS House – his office – where he would teach me about the work he and the others were engaged in, talk about his vision of where we would take the current development efforts, and share his gentle spirit of collaboration and creative energy.
It didn’t seem like going to work back then. I’d arrive, get settled, pour a hot cup of coffee, and head up to Mark’s office to talk about what we were working on. His office was filled with books, classical music on NPR, design concepts on the chalk board, and warmth. Mark would lead our conversations through his thoughts about our work – drawing me into his creative process – while occasionally sharing snippets about life, his love of books and language, conceptual design, and music. He was the most unselfish and inspiring person I ever knew throughout my career.
Just as our individual journeys join for a while in the continuous stream of time and human endeavor and then part, my time joined with Mark’s briefly and then moved on. As Mark’s journey has now moved beyond this mundane world, I reflect with gratitude and happy remembrance for the brief time he shared with me.
BM
Bob Mikrut
Other •
Of all the people I have ever known, Mark may have been the most intelligent, erudite, and clever. He managed, however, to hide a lot of that under a veneer of 'good old boy'.
I worked closely with him on the NLS project and I enjoyed ever moment of that time. We laughed
a lot. He had a great sense of humor. I don't ever remember him actually telling a joke but he
saw the absurdity in many things and shared it with me. We laughed a lot. And his humor wasn't always sophisticated. I remember he at times would do this sort of scandinavian sounding voice pumping his arms and sounding like the Sesame St Swedish chef. He cracked me up - every time.
I actually met him before I moved to Wisconsin and U/W. That first winter I was here, I was often at his Black Earth place getting firewood, making cider, whatever. Once we were making book shelves from old barn wood and the boards needed sanding. A effort saving method was needed. We tied each one to the bumper on his old beat up pickup; he drove down the gravel road while I
sat on the board to weight it down. I know - it sounds like a case of 'hold my beer and watch this'. Maybe. We were young.
I saw him rarely in the last few years after we retired. Mostly we ran into each other at a gas station
near my house and we discussed dogs (we both had Aussies) and he would tell me how his stayed up nights scheming up ways to get the better of Mark.
I also remember a lot of sitting around and either doing 'deep thoughts' or just sitting around. I also remember sitting on one of those big round hay bales and watching the light turn to night.
Never enough of days like that.
BG
Bernardo Gomez
Other •
I have warm memories of Mark from when we worked together in the Network Library System (NLS) at UW-Madison, 1984-1993. He was a supportive colleague who was always willing to share his knowledge and experience of the software systems. I still remember his welcoming smile and enthusiastic laugh that were present in the good moments as well as in challenging situations. I have an everlasting admiration for him because of his illuminating observations about life, politics and work. When it was my time to leave Madison, Mark kindly offered his help to make a few fixes to my house. I saw him for the last time when I visited Madison about six years ago, and I enjoyed hearing about his book trade and how his book collection was reducing the livable space in his house. He said it with that warm laugh, of course. I will always appreciate his friendship.
JY
Jennifer Younger
Other •
Dear Kathy, family and friends of Mark,
I'm sorry to learn of Mark's untimely passing and offer my deepest sympathy for your loss. I trust you have many good memories of Mark as a husband, father and grandfather and all round friend.
I worked with Mark on the Memorial Library automation during the 1980's and enjoyed it all. Mark brought significant expertise to the many issues but just as importantly, he was a willing partner in scoping out the full scope of a problem and exploring various solutions. My responsibilities for the catalog became ever so much easier and more rewarding in working with Mark.
With sincere condolences,
Jennifer Younger
UW Memorial Library 1977-1991
Madison, WI
LT
Libby Theune
Other •
"Mark had nearly 60 years of experience buying and selling used books although he never made his living at it. His knowledge of book values, both monetary and intellectual, was encyclopedic. After he retired about 5 years ago he began helping me every week in the basement of Memorial Library, getting ready for the next used book sale. He knew what to do and needed no supervision. He took charge of unpacking gifts and shipments from campus, counting the donations where necessary and sorting out the items that couldn't be sold. He often joined me on a second day in a week and sometimes came in by himself if he had a project. No one will ever be able to replace Mark's energy, knowledge, and good spirit. More than anything, I will miss talking books with him." - Jim Dast, Donations Supervisor for the Friends of UW-Madison Libraries