Timothy Lee Foist

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GYPSUM, KS

Timothy Lee Foist, 67, of Gypsum, KS, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2018. He was born January 15, 1951 in Anderson, Indiana, to Russell and Rozella (Manis) Foist where he spent his childhood. He graduated from Hancock Central High School, Maxwell, IN in 1969.

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (1973) and Master of Education degree with supporting area in Secondary Administration and Early Childhood (1982) from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN. He earned his Education Administration Superintendent’s Certification from Kansas State University College of Education, Manhattan, KS in 1994.

Tim was united in marriage to Nancy Allen January 29, 1972, with whom they had two children, Aaron and Caleb.

Tim began his educational career teaching physical education in the Washington Community Schools, Inc., Washington, IN from 1975 to 1978. He went on to have a career in education administration that took him from Indiana to Montana, Kansas, Nebraska and Arizona, retiring as Superintendent from Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood, Arizona.

During his educational career, Tim received numerous honors and awards such as the Excellence in Education-Distinguished School Award and Elks Lodge-Educator of the Year. He served on numerous boards as State President, AZ School Administrators Superintendents Division, President of Yuma County Superintendents Association, State Executive Board Member, AZ School Administrators, President of Yuma Educational Consortium, Executive Board Member, AZ Interscholastic Athletic Association and President Elect of AZ School Administrators Association. He was appointed to the AZ Economic Council for Development for Education while he was District Superintendent at Mingus Union High School, Cottonwood, AZ.

Tim retired to a ranch in Gypsum, KS with long-time companion, Kathryn Hoffner, where he returned to his recreational passions of hunting, fishing, breeding bird dogs as well as breeding Hereford, Angus, and Wagyu cattle. During this time, he pursued methods to enhance the wildlife habitat of Whitetail Deer, Quail, Wild Turkey, and Pheasant population at the ranch. He accomplished his life-long dream of hunting in sub-Sahara Africa, Hemingway style, followed by hunting in southern and northern Spain. He also treasured national hunting and fishing expeditions with his friends. Tim was a philanthropist for the arts and served on the Board of Directors for the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina, KS.

He is survived by his mother, Rozella; loving companion, Kathryn, of the home; children, Aaron (Rebecca) Foist of Fort Leavenworth, KS, and Caleb Foist of West Valley, Utah; siblings, Sandra Foist (Gene Platus) and Tamara F. (Robert) Pringle; grandchildren Kayce, Henry, Ava, and Carter; and niece, Meredith Pringle.

He is preceded in death by his father Russell; and daughter-in-law, Patricia Foist.

Funeral service will be at 2:00 pm at the Ballard & Sons Funeral Home, Middletown, IN. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 2:00 pm prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy or your favorite charity.