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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Ms. Michelle Jeanne Foster

Jacques Yves Foster
Des Moines, Iowa
1924-2015

J.Y. Foster knew he wanted to be a pilot since he was a young boy listening to aviation shows on the radio. Born in 1924, "Jimmie Allen” and other radio aviation heroes inspired him as well as others in his generation. This was the same generation that later helped carry the U.S. to victory in World War II and ultimately landed a man on the moon.

Foster was born in New Virginia, Iowa and attended Iowa State University prior to serving in World War II. During the war, he received his commission as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and trained in the Naval Aviation Pilot (NAP) program, then serving as a fighter pilot from 1943-1945. He flew a wide range of planes, including the Corsair and the Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber.

Following his honorable discharge, Foster earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, California. He continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until 1966. During that time, he become a member of the “Caterpillar Club,” an informal association of people who have successfully used a parachute to bail out of a disabled aircraft.

In his civilian life, Foster was president of Fairtron Corporation and Fair-Play Scoreboards, an internationally-known manufacturer of electronic scoreboards and timing devices. He served in leadership roles in many civic organizations in Iowa.

He also maintained a lifelong love of flying. Along with a friend, Chad C. Boltz, Foster built his first small plane, one of a number of private planes he owned and flew over time. Others included a Cessna and two Beechcraft Barons.

For Foster, flying was a lifelong joy and passion. He approached it with the verve and skills he honed as a Navy pilot. He shared that passion with his entire family: wife Shirley, and children Alan, Michelle, Denise, and David. Jacques took Shirley up and flew around high clouds to share their beauty; he took the kids flying through them to do some “bump flying:” more fun than roller coasters. He flew actively into his 70s, getting his seaplane license during that decade, and was dedicated to physical fitness throughout every phase of his life.

In addition to flying, Jacques was an avid skier, tennis player, sailor, bicyclist, and scuba diver. He loved music and was active in many singing organizations; at one point singing in the chorus during a debut symphony performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

His life truly had wings.