CLEVELAND, November 11 — On November 5, retired BLET General Chairman Leonard A. Foster, 83, passed away in his sleep at home in Port Orford, Ore. Brother Foster served the Brotherhood as General Chairman of the Southern Pacific General Committee of Adjustment from 1978-1990.
He hired out in Oakland, Calif., on the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1953 and earned promotion to Locomotive Engineer a short time later, joining BLET Division 283 (Oakland, Calif.) on July 7, 1958. He held continuous membership in the Brotherhood for more than 53 years. He was born on December 11, 1927.
He began serving as General Chairman of the Southern Pacific General Committee of Adjustment in 1978, a position he held until his retirement in 1990.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladina, in 2010. Brother Foster is survived by his six children: daughters Charlotte, Lynne and Debbie; and sons George, Jack and Andy. He is also survived by numerous grandchildren.
Several of Brother Foster’s children also worked in the railroad industry. His son, Andy, is a Union Pacific locomotive engineer and has belonged to BLET Division 192 (El Paso, Texas) since October 1, 1988. Jack recently retired as a UTU trainman and George worked for some time as a switchman before leaving the industry. Additionally, his daughter Lynne worked for the Brotherhood in the Southern Pacific General Committee office.
Brother Foster was very involved in the Masons and was a past Master Mason. He was also an avid golfer and photographer.
The Foster family will be conducting a private ceremony in Oregon.
“The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen mourns the passing of Leonard Foster. He was a dedicated and hard working General Chairman who was proud of his family and proud of our Brotherhood. He helped protect the jobs of many members over the years due to his diligence as General Chairman. On behalf of the entire Brotherhood, I extend deepest condolences to the Foster family,” BLET National President Dennis R. Pierce said.
BLET First Vice President Lee Pruitt succeeded as SP General Chairman following Brother Foster’s retirement.
“Leonard Foster was a good man who loved his family and his Brotherhood,” First Vice President Pruitt said. “He was a valuable asset to our Organization for many years, but more importantly, a devoted family man his entire life. I am deeply saddened at his passing and I extend my personal condolences to Leonard’s children and grandchildren.”