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Vail Daily obituary: Dale Allen Foster, 1955-2016

Dale Allen Foster died Sunday with his daughters at his side, following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 61.

On Saturday, friends trailered his horse Rudy to the Vail Valley Medical Center for a touching farewell. A celebration of Dale’s life will be Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Riverwalk Park along the river, behind the building. Bring photos and stories to share. At 1 p.m., the celebration moves to Woody’s Bar & Grill.

“He was our Dad, the first man we loved, our cowboy forever and now our guardian angel,” said daughters Ashley Foster and Whitney Foster. “Throughout his battle with cancer, his mustache and his smile never wavered.”

For the past five years, Dale was Sandy Treat’s caregiver. Treat used to tease Dale, who was dubbed “Cowboy” by everyone who knew him, that he lived a century too late. Dale looked like he strode out of a Remington or Russell painting.

“Dale was a gentle, caring man who went out of his way to help people,” Treat said. “And I was grateful to be the recipient of that. We had great times together.

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“He adored his daughters and his fondest hope was that they would receive the education they wanted.”

As an accomplished handyman, Dale gave his time and energy to anyone who needed his help. An avid elk hunter, he was joined yearly by his brothers and friends in favorite local hunting spots. Dale loved nature, animals and being a part of this beautiful world. These mountains were home, and he will never truly leave them.

Dale was born May 12, 1955, in Sutherlin, Oregon — the sixth of 11 children. He grew up in Oregon and Leadville and served in the United States Army from 1972-’74. After moving back to the Eagle Valley in 1988, he was a building inspector for Eagle County.

In addition to his two daughters, Ashley Foster, 25, and Whitney Foster, 23, of Fort Collins, Dale is survived by eight siblings and a family and community that will mourn the loss of one of its own. He was a well-loved father, brother, uncle, friend and community member.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Dale’s memory to Mountain Valley Horse Rescue, 1001 Bruce Creek Road, Eagle, CO 81631 or a fund at http://www.gofund me.com/cowboyangels for his daughters as they pursue masters and doctorate degrees in physical therapy and athletic training and occupational therapy.


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