Benjamin Ben Theodore Foster, 94, a progressive dairyman and lifelong resident of Middlebury, died Saturday July 16, 2011 at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, surrounded by his family. He was born November 11, 1916 in Middlebury the son of Theodore H. and Nina (Chaffee) Foster. Ben was a graduate of Middlebury High School, class of 1934. Together with his brothers, Howard and George, Foster Brothers Dairy, Inc. thrived as a result of their many innovations and careful planning. Ben and his brothers were inducted into the Vermont Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2004. Ben was a member of the Middlebury Congregational Church holding numerous positions, the Middlebury Grange, and the Vermont branch of the International Order of Kings Daughters and Sons. He was a founding director of the Addison County Artificial Breeders and the Vermont and New York Artificial Breeders Association. He enjoyed traveling with his wife in their R.V. On these trips Ben and Lois volunteered their time at several Native Indian reservations throughout the US. Ben was an avid reader with a deep love for Addison County history. He volunteered his time at Sheldon Museum for over ten years. Throughout his life he took great pride in his garden and greenhouse. Ben was predeceased by his wife Esther, an infant son Benjamin, brother, George his sister Luella Wolfreys and his parents Theodore and Nina Foster. Ben is survived by his wife of fifty-five years, Lois (Reed) Foster, by his children, Theodore Ted Foster and his wife Deborah of Middlebury, David Foster of Middlebury and Luella Proctor and her husband Charles of St. Louis, MO; his brother Howard Foster of Middlebury, his seven grandchildren, Adam of Vernon, CT, Owen of Natick, MA Eric of Middlebury, Sarah Oliveira of Milton Joy, Jeremy, and Mindy, all of St. Louis, MO; three great grandchildren, Ethan, Caleb and Riley. Calling hours will be Wednesday, July 20, 2011 from 4-6 PM at the Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, 117 S. Main St. Middlebury. A memorial service will be held on Thursday July 21, 2011 at 2 PM at the Middlebury Congregational Church. The Rev. Andrew Nagy-Benson, pastor, will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to Addison County Home Health and Hospice P.O. Box 754 Middlebury, VT 05753 to continue the legacy of commitment to community begun by Ben, Howard and George Foster through the establishment of Foster Brothers Fund for Home Care and Hospice or to the Congregational Church Building and Painting Fund, 27 North Pleasant St., Middlebury, VT 05753 Online condolences are welcome at www.sandersonfuneralservice.com Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home117 S. Main St., Middlebury. www.sandersonfuneralservice.com