Robert J. Foster, age 82, of Brookings, died Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, March 26, 2013, at First Presbyterian Church in Brookings, preceded by interment with military rites at 1:00 P.M. at Greenwood Cemetery. Visitations will be from 5-8 P.M. Monday at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to PSP (Progressive supranuclear palsy) research or First Presbyterian Church. Robert John Foster was born April 20, 1930, at Brookings, South Dakota, to George Hempel and Elsie Caroline (Brauer) Foster. He attended country school and graduated from Brookings High School in 1948. He received a bachelor's degree in animal science from SDSU in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army from August 1952 until 1954. On August 16, 1953, Bob married Geneva Sanford at Valley Springs, South Dakota. She died September 9, 2005. Bob was actively engaged in farming northeast of Brookings all his life. He held offices in the Farm Bureau, was township supervisor for 33 years, and served with the conservation district, county zoning board, and Farmer's Co-op. He was a member of Golden K and served in many roles as an active church member and officer of First Presbyterian Church. He was chosen as Outstanding Young Farmer, and received awards for outstanding hog production. He was the South Dakota Master Hog Producer in 1977 and chosen as the Outstanding District Conservationist and Eminent Farmer. Bob enjoyed writing, traveling, gardening, and bicycling. Bob was a farmer by trade, interested in conserving the land for the future; an arborist evidenced by the trees he planted and the birds they attracted; a man of faith by example in his church and community; a husbandman with livestock, taking memorable trips to the stock yards; a fixer-upper with hammer and nails; an experimental cook - especially pancakes for his grandchildren and traditional St. Patrick's Day dinners for friends. He loved his family, always ready to help when and where he could, and writing memoirs for them. He was especially looking forward to a summer trip to Ireland and France with his grandsons. Survivors include his four children: Steven J. Foster of Pelican Rapids, Minnesota, Ann M. (William) Douglas of Miller, South Dakota, Neal R. (Julie) Foster of Brookings, and Joel C. (Bonnie) Foster of Brookings; six grandchildren: Derek Douglas, John Douglas, Erin Douglas, Lynn Foster, Paige Foster, and Gayle Foster; three sisters: Joan Piscopo of San Diego, California, Gretchen (Warren) Hatfield of Phoenix, Arizona, and Ardith (Gerry) Wyatt of Scottsdale, Arizona; a brother, C. Emmett Foster, of Pueblo West, Colorado; and a special friend, Chrys Daniels, of Madison, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, and wife.