DWIGHT DONALD FOSTER, JR.
June 15, 2025
FOSTER, JR.
DWIGHT DONALD
Don Foster passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family in his home on Father's Day, June 15, 2025. Born in 1931, Don was a lifelong Pittsburgh resident. After Linden School, then Shady Side Academy, he graduated from Yale in 1953 and joined the Air Force, training to fly the F-80 jet fighter. He served until 1956, including two years in England. Thereafter he worked as an engineer in the industrial sector for his entire career. Most important to Don was his dear wife Sally, their children and grandchildren.
Don married Sally Beardslee in Grosse Pointe, Michigan in 1959, and started a family while living in Point Breeze, later settling in Fox Chapel in 1970. Don is survived by Sally, his wife of 65 years, his sister Suzy Mullins, four children and eight grandchildren: Sarah Foster and her son J.R.; Dwight, his wife Jane and their children Nick, Tommy, Joe and Jimmy; Amy Colbert, her husband Ross and daughter Reed; and Mike, his wife Abby and their children Beezie and Wills.
Don cherished his time with family and many long time friends. He was a warm, welcoming and caring gentleman with everyone he met, across all walks of life. He loved a good laugh and shared jokes (sometimes several times over!) with anyone within earshot. From Pirates games at Forbes Field, to the Steelers at Three Rivers and the Penguins at the Igloo, he was a diehard Pittsburgh fan. He thoroughly enjoyed golf in his early years at Longue Vue and later at Fox Chapel, where he was the cornerstone of the "B Team" in paddle tennis. In their earlier years, Don and Sally biked all over Europe and sailed in the Virgin Islands with their friends. His labors of love at home included helping Sally with her gardens, building rock borders and paths, and lastly splitting and neatly stacking wood from the old oaks on Fairway Lane.
With the help of Sally and several of his closest friends, Don courageously overcame a deadly disease in 1981 and lived another 44 very healthy and happy years. He also gave his time and attention to those struggling with similar issues.
We would also like to formally recognize the staff at Vincentian Schenley Gardens for their loving, selfless care. If desired, the family encourages donations in memory of Don to the staff fund at https://vincentian.us/donate-now or by mail to Vincentian, Attn: Development & Mission Advancement, 8250 Babcock Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15237.
The family will hold a private burial service and later a Celebration of Life.
Arrangements by WEDDELL-AJAK FUNERAL HOME.
Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
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SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
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Send Flowers: When Is the Ordering Deadline?
ANY DAY OF THE WEEK
Order any time up till the day before
MON-FRI Order by 2:00PM
SAT & SUN Order by noon
TUES-SAT
Order by 3:00PM
The day before
SAT & SUN Order by Saturday
Note: These are general guidelines; some florists may not be able to operate within these timelines. During peak periods such as Valentine’s Day, Memorial Day and most holidays, florists are not always able to keep up to demand. Tribute will contact you if there are any issues.
Plant a tree: How does it work
When your purchase is complete, a post will be made on the tribute wall of the deceased signifying the planting of a memorial tree.
An official certificate recognizing your purchase will be included with your email receipt. You can then forward the email to the family or print it and give it to them personally.
After an order is placed, our forestry partners will plant the tree in the area of greatest need (nearest the funeral home), according to the planting schedule for the year.
Due to seasonal conditions, the tree planting takes place during the spring and summer.
Tree Planting Timeline
Orders placed in:
January - May
Planting will take place in Spring or Summer of the same year.
June - December
Planting will take place in Spring of the following year.
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