Deceased January 16, 2019
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In Memory
By Foster was a leader for our class and the College in many areas and times. At Amherst he was managing editor of the Olio and vice president of Phi Alpha Psi. Later he served as class president and associate class agent and as president for the Amherst Associations of both New York and Wisconsin.
By also was one of the earliest members of the original Zumbyes. For our 50th reunion he had the LP recording of the Zumbyes, DQ and glee club made into CDs, which he distributed in advance for our many singing members, to stimulate our vocal chords and enthusiasm for Amherst songs.
By had a passion for music and performing arts his whole life, starting with the church choir in his youth in Cleveland, then with the Glee Club and Zumbyes at Amherst and with the Blue Hill Troupe in New York and Skylight Music Theatre in Milwaukee.
After graduation he served in the U.S. Coast Guard for two years in Hawaii, earned an M.B.A. from Harvard and a law degree from New York University and then pursued a business career with Goldman Sachs and, later, with Merrill Lynch, Arthur Young and his own consulting firm.
By Foster died on Jan. 16. His wife of 51 years, Suzy, preceded him. He leaves daughters Laurel and Elizabeth and two grandchildren, Langdon and Tinsley. The family remembers him “as a dear friend to many, a true lifelong learner, dedicated father, model train and classic car enthusiast, world traveler and avid reader.” His Amherst friends remember him for his high energy, friendliness, positive outlook and good humor, and for his help in keeping alive Amherst as a singing college.
George Edmonds ’53