Rita Richards Foster

Rita Richards Foster

Taken from 56th Annual Alumni booklet for 50th year class of 1962,,,May 2012
Rita was not able to attend banquet

Bio for Rita L. Richards, Class of ‘62

Hello to Alumni members who were fortunate enough to graduate from Decatur High School especially in its days of glory.

It is hard to look at a blank screen and figure out where to start in giving some history about my life for the last 50 years. It has been the best of times and sometimes the worst of times but in the worst of times I learned the most as I drew from my small town values to sustain what I could and come out on the other side the better for it. I was blessed to marry a farmer/inventor and spend my first 25 years on the farm. Our four daughters all have a combination of traits and skills that I am very proud of. I am also fortunate to have a great relationship with each of them. I also have three grandchildren that I don’t get to spend enough time with but we make the most of our get togethers when we are blessed to have them. I have three great brothers and three great sisters that I have continual contact with as well. So many families disintegrate and go their separate ways but we have not. My parents did a good job.

Today I live in Cabool, MO and have been blessed to be enjoying a wonderful second marriage. John and I are looking forward to our 19^th year in September. Even at 67, I love my work and don’t plan on quitting very soon. I am an advocate for a shelter for victims of domestic violence. I cover two counties and have worked with hundreds of families over the last nearly nine years. John and I also pastor a small congregation in Willow Springs, MO. I am still singing and playing the guitar and occasionally I get to talk about my very public days in the Nebraska Farm Crisis Network and my meeting with Willie Nelson. John and I enjoy entertaining a host of friends and vacationing family with the highlight of great dinners on our porch in the evening while we listen to the frogs in our three ponds on our little farm here in Southwest Missouri.

How can I ask for more.

Fellow classmates, growing up in the time we all did in rural Nebraska and truly achieving the American dream even though we are not among the 1% makes us better off than 80 – 90% of everyone living on this earth.

I do have one disclosure. I would like to apologize to everyone who was held captive by the rain during that one noon hour standing in the entry at school waiting for the bell to ring listening to our trio sing multiple times in three-part harmony “When I Grow Too Old To Dream” . I have thought about that for years. The words of that song come back to me from time to time and are more fitting for today than they ever were in that time when we were singing them. We didn’t have a clue did we? When I grow too old to dream, I’ll have you to remember. When I grow too old to dream, your love will live in my heart. So kiss me my sweet and so let us part. And when I grow too old to dream, your love will live in my heart. Thanks for the memories everyone! I hope I can make it for the banquet but if I can’t, please know I love you all.

Rita Louise Richards Hennig Foster

Written 3-18-12

Previously submitted information 2009

1. Name and city/state where you live –

Rita Louise (Richards, Hennig) Foster

Cabool, Missouri

2. Spouse's name and where he/she was born or went to school –

John Wayland Foster, Columbus, IN

3. How/where did you meet your spouse –

Over the phone. Calling into VA for Political Action Committee calling center in Lincoln, NE where I was trying to finish college. This was a night job I could work around college schedules. We were married 10 days later sight unseen until I stepped off the plane in Norfolk, VA.

4. Your occupation before retirement – John and I are still working. I worked in social work positions and had a sw corporation that I created in the 80’s during the farm crisis. I now am an outreach advocate for a shelter and cover two counties. I facilitate Women’s support groups called “Women Rising” and teach parenting classes. Most are court and division of family services referrals. I also accompany clients to court as a court advocate.

5. Did you attend college or special schooling ~ what study - I attended . I didn’t finish college. Most of my classes dealt with social work, mediation, community organizing, etc.

6. Your spouse's occupation before retirement –

John was a Warrant Officer in Navy and retired after 20 years. He then worked in private sector as a field consultant in a company that contracted with gov. He now is Campus Director for a tech college that offers nursing degrees.

7. Favorite place (city/state) where you have lived and why - Where we are now is great but loved the East coast. Lived there for five years then moved to MO.

8. How many children, if any – I have four by a previous marriage. Hope Angela lives in Fort Walton Beach FL with husband and works for Boeing.

Charity Spring has three children and lives with her husband in Oakland, NE where she is working hard to complete a SW degree.

Holly Joy lives with her husband in Compton CA. Yes Compton. She works in a high end preschool and loves working with children.

Robin Faith lives with her husband in Tarzana, CA. They are in the music industry connected to Hollywood.

9. Grandchildren? How many - Charity has three children; Caylie 17, Allyssia 15 and Jarron 7.

10. Special hobbies – Love to write and sing and assist my husband in pastoring a church in Willow Springs.

11. Any other details you care to share -

I continue to have a great life and can’t imagine what is next if it continues this way. We hope the same for all of you.

Prom date

Last Update 04/18/09