Robert A "Bob" Foust, of rural Spring Mills died October 17 at Ohesson Manor in Lewistown. He was born on November 10, 1922 in Spring Mills to the late James and Elizabeth (Graden) Foust. On April 3, 1943, he married Pauline Johnson of Pleasant Gap. Bob is survived by his wife Pauline, two daughters, Darla Dunlap (John) and Kathleen Zimmerman (Tom Krape), and two sons, Dennis Foust (Cynthia) all of rural Spring Mills, and Robert Foust, Jr (Judy) of Coburn. He is also survived by one brother, Donald (Ruth) of Centre Hall, and two sisters, Ruth Zonge (Harrison), and Darlene Heller, both of State College.
Bob is survived by nine grandchildren Swayne(Sara), Scott, Sean Dunlap(Karen), Deneen Keller(David), Neil Foust, Marshall (Emily) and Deanna Zimmerman, Dawn Dean (Ray) and Budd Foust, eleven great grandchildren Matthew, Kama, and Ethan (Scott), Ryan, Tyler, and Shayla (Sean), David and Clarissa (Deneen), Erica Deavor (Neil), and Garrett and Jordan Evans (Dawn). Bob was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Mabel and Miriam, brothers Paul, Guy, Warren, Harold and John, son-in-law Kevin Zimmerman, and great-grandson Layne Zimmerman.
Bob was a graduate of Centre Hall Schools on May 27, 1940 with perfect attendance, and entered WWII in 1942, stationed at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, where he invented a device for cooling and controlling the temperature of human limbs that had been injured. The device was used by a hospital in the Dayton area.
Bob learned the refrigeration trade off-base evenings while stationed at Wright Field, and carried this knowledge through to Bob Foust Appliances, which he started in 1947 in Centre Hall. Bob was self-employed for nearly 50 years, selling and servicing the appliance needs of families in Centre and surrounding counties. His business became well known for the "FONE FOUST FIRST" logo that appeared prominently on all his service vehicles.
Bob's greatest love was his Studebaker cars. A prize-winning 1931 Studebaker President Roadster, an old car that figured prominently in his life during the 70's and 80's was a great source of pleasure to him. He was proud to say that he knew the man who engineered this car and considered him a personal friend. During his life, dozens of restored Studebakers and other cars from the 1920's-1960's had a prominent place in his garage. Many of those cars now appear in museums and private collections in the USA and Switzerland.
In 1962, Bob was a founding member of the Studebaker Drivers Club, now a 13,000-member organization, and in 1968, became a founding member of Keystone Region Chapter of the same organization, and was active in many of its functions. Bob also belonged to Antique Auto Club of America, ACD Club and many other automotive clubs and organizations.
Bob was also a fan of dirt-track auto racing, and in the mid-60's, owned a car that competed successfully in events at Port Royal and Selinsgrove Speedways. In recent years, he also enjoyed watching his grandson compete successfully at those same tracks using the same car number #25 and a similar paint scheme to those his car used in the 60's.
Bob was a member of Penns Valley Area School Board, during the period of 1976-1981. He was a member of St Luke's Lutheran Church, Centre Hall, and also attended Sprucetown Methodist Church, near his Potters Mills residence. Bob enjoyed music and through the years, sang in several barbershop and gospel quartets.
Bob enjoyed the wildlife, peaceful quiet and gentle sunsets of his Potters Mills residence and the company of children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bob also enjoyed the company of his brother-in-law while deer hunting on his farm. Bob was also famous for his "home-made ice cream experiments" and sometimes surprised his grandchildren and great grandchildren with his unusual concoctions. All family members agree that "fruit cocktail surprise" would never replace chocolate as a favorite flavor.
Friends will be received from 6 - 9 p. m. Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at Mark D. Heintzelman Funeral and Cremation Service, 226 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a. m. Thursday, October 22, 2009 at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 301 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Centre Hall, PA, with the Rev. Scott A. Klimke officiating. Burial will be in Sprucetown Cemetery, Upper Georges Valley Road, Spring Mills.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Foust's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association 3544 N. Progress Ave. Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638, or to Centre Home Care and Hospice, 2437 Commercial Blvd. State College, PA 16801
A guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.heintzelmanfuneralhome.com