Richard Plato Foster, Jr. M.D.

           Richard P. Foster Jr, MD, of Wadmalaw Island, joined the Church Triumphant on September 11, 2023. He was born on September 27, 1954 to Jennylee Counts Foster and Richard P. Foster Sr. He grew up in the idyllic “Mayberry-esque” town of Prosperity, SC. His love of music began early. He played in the MidCarolina High School band from 7th grade on. He became an Eagle Scout and lifeguarded at the local pool. Rick began working at Newberry Hospital as an orderly and ambulance driver. His desire to help others led him to PreMed at Clemson University.

                Rick began a life-long love of the Tigers and all things Clemson. He joined Tiger Band, where he later became Band Commander. He played the trombone; so essential for “Tiger Rag”! At Clemson, he was in Mu Beta Psi, Kappa Sigma and Tiger Brotherhood. He traveled to see the Tigers win 2 National Championships and held season tickets for nearly 50 years.

                Rick graduated from MUSC in Charleston in 1981. He was in the first class of residents at Self Memorial in Greenwood and won the SCAFP Resident of the Year in 1983. His first practice was in Murrells Inlet. He then went into practice on James Island. In 1989, after his office was destroyed by Hurricane Hugo, Rick began doing Administrative Healthcare with Companion Healthcare. He did a long stint as Chief Medical Officer at Trident Hospital. Rick then joined the South Carolina Hospital Association. He traveled the state working for the betterment of Healthcare for all South Carolinians, advocating for Health Equity.   

                Rick had countless accolades and had the privilege to work with many organizations throughout the state. He served as the Board Chair at Palmetto Care Connections; Physician Advisor at Help Me Grow SC; Senior Advisor: Population Health at DHEC; Senior Advisor at SC Department of Health & Human Services; Advisor to Pasos for the Healthcare of Latino Families; Board Member at Fetter Healthcare; Community Leader’s Council and Board Member for Tri-County Cradle to Career; Communication Co-Chair at SCMA Coalition for Care of the Seriously Ill; Consultant to the Department of Neurology at MUSC assisting with the SC Alzheimer’s Network; and work with Trident United Way;      This week he received the Order of the Palmetto award for his work in Healthcare. He believed in EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION in life and in healthcare.

                Rick loved the Lord, his family, music and the Clemson Tigers. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He joined Johns Island Presbyterian Church in 1991 and was a booming voice in the church choir. He served as an elder and helped with the youth. He also sang in the Charleston Men’s Chorus for many years. Rick’s laugh was his signature and will surely be missed.

                Rick was predeceased by his parents, maternal grandparents, Jennie and James Counts; paternal grandparents Sarah and Joseph Foster; great aunt Annie Williams. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Lesa; daughters, Ashlee Parra (Dan), Layna Foster (Ted), Jenna Foster (Adam); son, Matthew Foster. He was “Daddy Rick” to his grandchildren, Nico and Lucas Parra, Clara and Lou Pickering and Maxwell Wessinger; brother, Sheriff Lee Foster, his wife Carol, daughter Amelia and son Joseph, all of Newberry; Mother-in-law, Elaine Hart; brother-in-law, Brooks Hart; brother-in-law, Roger Hart and his wife Margarita; niece, Emily; nephew, Jonathan; sister-in-law, Weslie Hart; Best friends, Mark and Robbi Stokes of Clemson and their children Erin and Sam. 

                Special thanks to MUSC and BAYADA Hospice for their expert care and compassion and for the Doctors and nurses who tried valiantly to keep him with us and bring him comfort. 

                His Memorial Service will be held Sunday, September 17, 2023, at 3:00 PM, at Johns Island Presbyterian Church Bohicket Rd, Johns Island. Visitation to follow in Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be made to the Building Fund at the Historic Johns Island Presbyterian Church, 2550 Bohicket Road, Johns Island SC 29455. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel.