Tom Foust Dies

Thomas L. Foust, Immediate Past President of the American First Day Cover Society, passed away March 5, 2011, at the age of 80.

Foust, a resident of McComb, Ohio, served as president of the AFDCS from 1988 through 2005, a total of 18 years, and continued on the Executive Committee after that until his death. He became an Honorary Life Member in 2002, and received the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and the Glenn C. Michel Special Recognition Award in both 2001 and 2006.

"He always had the best interests of the society at heart and was devoted to its success," said AFDCS executive director Douglas A. Kelsey.

In addition, Foust served as president of the Fort Findlay (Ohio) Stamp and Postcard Club for more than 30 years. Besides making his own cachets, one of Foust's collecting interests was first day covers relating to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, with whom he shared a birthday.

Foust was a Marine who served as a radio operator and instructor during the Korean War. He then studied fine arts at Mars Hill College in North Carolina and Georgetown College in Kentucky. He worked as a draftsman for several Ohio firms.

According to his daughter Deborah, he often painted seasonal murals on the door of his two-car garage in McComb, including one depicting the school mascot when McComb High School won a championship.

Foust was a member of the VFW and Elks, and a volunteer with the Hancock County Historical Society, both as an engineer on the Riverside Railroad and as a docent at the Society’s museum. He was also active in the Zion United Methodist Church.

He is survived by two daughters, two sisters, five grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Donations in Tom Foust's name may be made to the American First Day Cover Society (click here); Zion United Methodist Church, 9009 SR 12 West, Findlay, Ohio; or to the USS Potomac, FDR’s Floating White House.

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