Jan Roger Foster

Jan Roger Foster was born November 29, 1940 in St. Paul, MN, to Victor and Lavonne Foster.  He moved to Portland, OR when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Madison High School in 1959.  He married Lanita Bard and they had three children.  He started working at Peerless Pacific after school, advancing to purchasing agent. 

In 1966 he became a Portland Police Officer.  He started in the Traffic Unit riding a three wheeled motorcycle.  During the 1969 protesting of the Vietnam War he was part of the Top Squad and at the front of the police line at the Portland State Riots.

On May 12, 1973 he married the love of his life, Helen Bicart.  They lived on a farm in Estacada, OR, raising sheep.  Jan sheared the sheep and they learned to dye, spin, and weave their wool.  Jan won honorable mention at the National Wool Show for a rug he entered.

Jan worked at North Precinct on patrol for several years and later got transferred back to the Traffic Unit riding a two wheeled motorcycle for a number of years. He was known as “Uncle Jan” because of his kind nature.

Jan retired in January 1992 and they adopted their daughter Gina Marie. He spent time at her school and was asked to be a male role model for other kids.

They bought property and moved to Madras in 1993.  He started building their second home and said he could have finished it sooner but he had to wave at everyone as they went by.  He also worked as a Marine Deputy for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for several years.  He liked being out on the lakes in Jefferson County.

Jan joined the Elks Lodge and attended with his father-in-law Pete. He also cared for Pete and Eileen in their later years.

Jan loved to hunt and fish, especially pheasants in Ontario. He loved to garden and became a Master Gardner through OSU Extension. He was a master woodworker and the grandkids thought he could “fix” anything.  He cut gemstones (faceting) and hunted for some of the gemstones he cut. He was an avid reader.

Jan always had a wonderful sense of humor and said if you couldn’t have fun at what you were doing you should find something else to do.  He was a kind, gentle, patient man who loved to teach and share with others.  He had a great sense of humor and loved a practical joke.

Jan and Helen had an opportunity to travel the world with Pete and Judy Bicart and sons Aaron and Jackson.  They had many adventures together and went to numerous countries. Jan’s very favorite place to visit was Santorini, Greece.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Richard, and daughter Debbie. 

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Helen, his son Dirk (Mineral Wells, TX), daughters Deanna (Gresham), Gina Medina-Hernandez (Francisco) (Madras), brother James (Portland), and

Sisters Vicki Jones (Don), (Gresham), Cindy (Rae) NH, and sister-in-law Annie. He was loved by Helen’s brothers Bruce (Georgia) and Peter (Judy) and sister Patrisha (Bobby). He leaves behind grandchildren Orion, Kameron, Aqua, and Isabelle, and numerous nieces and nephews and The Bears whom already miss him.

A special thanks to Frescinius in Madras for all the excellent care and devotion they showed him, including Dr. Feldman.

A celebration of life will be held May 15, 2022.

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