Cole Foster

Cole Nessa Foster passed away peacefully at home on January 8, 2025 after enjoying 87 years of life. He was born on Labor Day, September 6, 1937, in Ames, Iowa to Glenn and Ethel (Nessa) Foster. Because his mother was secretary to the Iowa State University's (then the Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm) Home Economics Education Department, the ISU campus served as Cole's childhood playground with its hog barns and fields of corn and soybeans. He spent long, sweltering-hot summer afternoons as a kid writing "bad poems".

His father taught him hunter's safety at an early age allowing Cole to hunt pheasant, rabbits and squirrels. His job was to dress the harvest and then his mother would make dinner. He recalled spending one bone-cold, snow-swirling winter during World War II when the 19-foot, tar paper trailer they lived in froze his shoes to the floor.

Cole received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sciences and Humanities from ISU, a master's degree in English from the University of Iowa, and a PhD in English from the University of New Mexico. He still has an "F" in Trigonometry on his transcript and he didn't care! Cole taught Freshman English, American Literature, Emerson and Thoreau, and Creative Writing for 38 years. After 29 years, he retired from Adams State University in 1998 as Professor Emeritus. He was thrilled to witness the evolution of students' learning as they discovered and expressed their understanding of the world with new, exciting insights. Nature fueled his spirit as did reading adventure and wildlife stories; writing poetry and personal essays; racing his MGA sports car; playing baseball and tennis; hunting in the Valley, Alaska and Africa; fly fishing in mountain streams and lakes; and birdwatching from the dining room table.

As an only child, the placidity of Cole's life was rocked when he married Sue in 1989, whose large family is run by "committee". He was preceded in death by his parents, a younger infant sister, and Aunt Florence Nessa Kammin (his favorite). He is survived by Sue and her seven siblings and extended family; his cousin Norman (Dorene) Kammin and their family; his college roommate and lifelong friend, Berk (Jane) Fletcher; and many dear friends and former students.

Cole had a made-to-order last day of life. He and his buddy, Ben, were awestruck by the flight of a bald eagle. They observed 31 antelope on the refuge, visited an elk farm, and enjoyed lunch complete with chocolate pie! His last word the evening of his passing was "student". Arrangements are being made by Mountain Valley Mortuary in Monte Vista. A gathering of family and friends is planned on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Richardson Hall on the Adams State University campus. Memorials can be made to Adams State University Foundation, Cole N. Foster Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Tammy Lopez 208 Edgemont Blvd Alamosa, CO 81101.