Walter Richard Forster

Walter Richard Forster was born in Pittsburgh, PA on January 4, 1924 and passed away on December 1, 2022. Walt met Delores "Dee" Gillespie after graduating from the University of Pittsburgh 1948 and they were married on August 19, 1950 at the First Presbyterian Church in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. Walt graduated from High School in January of 1942 and enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh to study Mechanical Engineering in February of 1941. Walt joined the WWII Enlisted Reserve Corp and reported for military service on June 20, 1943. After basic training and two semesters at Texas A & M, he was transferred to the 409th Infantry Regiment of the 103rd infantry Division, Company L (Rifleman) of the Third Battalion. He was deployed to southern France on October 20, 1944. 1500 miles later, he was in Innstrack, Austria on VE Day (Victory in Europe) May 11, 1945 In March 1946 he reentered the University of Pittsburgh and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 16 months. Walter worked for the same company from July 1947 until October 1990. He was preceded in death by his wife Delores, his mother; Jean Forster and his father, Walter Forster and a granddaughter-in-law, Erika Todd. Survivors include; two sons, Kim Forster (and his wife Rachel), and Keith Forster (and his wife Kathy) and one daughter, Donna Todd (and her husband Michael); four grandchildren, Brian Forster, Leigh Ann Stringer (and her husband Alex) ; Christopher Todd (and his wife Erin), and Jacob Todd; nine great grandchildren, Hanna Forster, Jonas Forster, Colby Stringer, James Stringer, Katherine Stringer, Alexandria Todd, Andrew Todd, Walter Todd, and Graham Todd. What was he really like? Walter was a lifelong career man whose work ethic carried over to all three of his children. His career with Westinghouse Air Brake Company began in 1947 as a jr. Mechanical Engineer, and continued to advance through out the years, ending as WABCO's General Manager of the Fluid Power Division from 1985 to 1990. His way of focusing on family, after his working life was complete, was to organize an annual family reunion from 1996 through 2016. In his own words handwritten on the inside cover of his autobiography is "My hope, at this stage of life, is that this family be healthy, happy, and supportive of one another and that you recognize the many blessings that have brought us to this point in time. May God continue to bless each of you." For Walt's children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, this is his legacy! The family will hold a private burial at Mill Springs National Cemetery at a date to be determined. His wife, Dolores will be buried alongside him. Condolences may be sent to the family at the Pulaski Funeral Home, Somerset, Kentucky.