Bristow City Cemetery

Bristow, Creek County, Oklahoma

© Hutchins Maples Funeral Homes
Submitted by: Terry Dudley

Dr George Edward Foster

January 29, 1943 ~ August 22, 2025

Dr. George Edward Foster entered Heaven on August 22, 2025, after 82 years of life and on his 61st wedding anniversary with his wife, Rita Anderson Foster, who passed on August 31, 2024. Born in San Antonio, TX to Colonel Arthur and Carolyn Foster, younger brother to Clair and Stephen Foster. Raised in Bristow, Oklahoma, his father directed Community Bank, and his mother directed the school board. He graduated from Bristow High School in 1961 and earned a B.A. at Oklahoma State University. He fell in love with Rita in Stillwater and married on August 22, 1964. George followed his passion to deliver vision to others as he graduated from Northeastern State University in 1965 and Optometry School at the University of Houston in 1968. He often said, "Next to life itself, God's most precious gift is vision."

In Houston, they gave birth to their first child, Helen Kathleen Foster. They were blessed with their second child Calvin Morgan Foster during George's Air Force assignment in Maine. In Bristow, two more blessings -- Rhanda Susan Foster and Tol Anderson Foster. George and Rita raised the four children while serving as leaders at First United Methodist Church. George also led in the Lions Club and multiple civic organizations throughout his nearly three decades of private practice in Bristow.

Dr. George Foster, a.k.a. "Cuz" was a distinguished leader in the field of Optometry, playing a pivotal role in advancing the profession both in Oklahoma and nationwide. As part of a groundbreaking team, he worked tirelessly to address scope of practice issues and expand opportunities for optometrists. Through his vision and dedication, Oklahoma became the first state in the nation to grant optometrists the authority to perform laser procedures, an historic achievement that continues to shape the profession today.

After the tragic loss of their daughter Rhanda in a car accident during her freshman year at OSU, George continued his calling as the Dean of the College of Optometry at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, OK in 1997. George would be honored to receive the American Optometric Association's Optometrist of the Year in 1989, as well as the Health Care Leadership Award in 2008. Post retirement, he continued serving on several boards, such as the Oklahoma Institute of Child Advocacy, Oklahoma Academy of State Goals and the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET).

"This is the Day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." George and Rita continued their life of service as he elevated eye care for the Cherokee Nation.

George is survived by his daughter Dr. Kathleen Spurgeon and husband Michael Spurgeon, Rear Admiral Calvin Foster and his wife Nicole Berteaux Foster and Dr. Tol Foster and his wife Dr. Minjung Ryu, his brother-in-law Sid Anderson and his wife Judy, seven grandchildren; David, Trenton, Elizabeth and Caleb Foster, Joshua and Avery Elliott and Arwyn Foster. He was preceded in death by the love of his life Rita, his parents, brother and sister, his daughter, Rhanda Foster and son-in-law, Brian Elliott.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 AM, Monday, September 1st at Bristow First United Methodist Church followed by a private committal service in the Bristow City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Northeastern State University George Foster Fund. Please use the following link www.nsugiving.com/donate, for Designation, choose Browse All Funds and select Other, then put in George Foster Legacy Fund.