MIDDLEBURY - Howard C. Foster, 92, of Middlebury passed away at his home on February 16, 2012 after a long, full life. Howard was born April 23, 1919 in Middlebury, where he spent his entire life working the land and preserving it for future generations. He was the son of Theodore and Nina (Chaffee) Foster James. In 2009 he was predeceased by Helen, his loving wife of 65 years. Besides raising his family, Howard was active in many local and state organizations. He served on the Farm Service Agency and Dairy Marketing Committees, our local School Boards, the Addison County Regional and Middlebury Planning Commissions. He was a trustee for the Battell Woods Trust, was a member of the Farm Bureau and was a strong supporter of Addison County Field Days. He was a member of Middlebury Congregational Church and served on church boards. In 2002 he was presented the Middlebury Rotary Community Service Award and in 2004 he and his brothers were inducted into the Vermont Agricultural Hall of Fame. Howard was local before local was popular. Farming and agriculture were his passion. He was the forester in the family; he loved the woods and never missed the first day of deer season for many, many years. Many of the farm buildings have components from his small sawmill. Howard and his brothers, Benjamin and George, formed a partnership that today is known as Foster Brothers Farm, Inc. He was known for his green thumb and always had a beautiful, bountiful and weed-free garden which fed not only his family, but numerous others. He is survived by his loving children, son Robert Foster and wife Nancy and children, Heather Foster-Provencher and husband Larry and their children Tyler and Krisandra; Jennifer Foster and husband Sam Zucker and their children, Isaac and Zalman; Robin Foster-Cole and husband David and their children, Aiden and Nyna. Daughter Judy Roy and husband Bill and their children, Amanda Palmer and husband Sean and their son, Liam, and Eric Roy; son Jim Foster Sr. and wife Joyce, and their children, Karen Foster-Baccei and husband David; Jim Foster Jr. and wife Tricia and their children, MaKayla, Caleb, and Jocelyn; Mark Foster and wife Nicole and their children, Ashlynn and Colin; daughter Sharon Foster-Chalecki and husband Robert and their children Tracy Chalecki, Rob Chalecki and wife Robin and their children, Madeline and Theo; daughter Dorothy Douglas and her husband Jim and their children, Matt Douglas and wife Keri and their children Timothy and Aaron; Andrew Douglas and partner Courtney Bowers; daughter Joyce Wetmore and husband David and their children, Rebecca, Christopher, and Allyson. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law, Lois and Jean Foster, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brothers Benjamin and George, his sister Luella Wolfreys and husband William. The family gratefully expresses their thanks for many years of care by Addison County Home Healthcare and Hospice, Hospice Volunteer Services and Happy Hearts, Inc. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2012 at the Middlebury Congregational Church at 2 p.m. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Hospice Volunteer Services, 63 Maple St., Middlebury VT 05753; Addison County Home Health and Hospice, PO Box 754, Middlebury VT 05753; or the Congregational Church of Middlebury, 27 North Pleasant St., Middlebury VT 05753 Arrangements are under the direction of Sanderson-Ducharme Funeral Home, Middlebury. www.sandersonfuneralservice.com