| Sources |
- [S25] Smith Mortuary Company, www.smithmortuary.com, 23 Oct 2010.
Arthur Garland Delozier obituary
- [S25] Smith Mortuary Company, www.smithmortuary.com, 8 Dec 2010.
Harriet Canterberry Forster obituary
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 1 Sep 2011.
In memory of Fred Forster: Family dedicates Clayton Center seating area
Family members of the late Maj. Gen. Fred Forster (from left) Will Carver, Joy Carver, Carolyn Forster and
Rebecca Forster address friends attending the dedication of a memorial seating area honoring the career military
officer Thursday at the Clayton Center for the Arts.
Clayton Center for the Arts Outdoor Plaza has new a seating area that was funded in memory of Maj. Gen. Fred Forster.
Friends and family of the late career military officer gathered on the plaza Thursday afternoon for a dedication ceremony.
The two benches and three planters were purchased with memorial gifts following Forster’s death on Nov. 18, 2010.
One of two plaques dedicated with the seating area noted that “Fred’s prayers always ended with ‘make us ever mindful of the needs of others,’ and his passion for people motivated him to develop and cultivate lasting relationships.”
Flagpole dedication
In a related ceremony, Maryville High School will dedicate a flagpole in Forster’s memory at 7 p.m. today prior to the Maryville-West football game.
Forster graduated from West High School in Knoxville, and after a career in the military, served as Blount Chamber Partnership president and CEO from 1999-2010.
The new flagpole, which is the result of collaborative efforts among Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Blount Excavating Inc. and Maryville City Schools, will serve as a reminder of Forster’s legacy of service and a call to action to continue his life’s work.
Dr. Ken Hawkins will lead a choral performance, and Director Tom Delozier will lead the Red Rebel Marching Band. University of Tennessee Air Force ROTC members will provide the color guard.
Speakers will include Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor and Airport Authority President William Marrison.
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 19 Nov 2010.
Major General Frederick H. Forster passes away
Care, concern and compassion flooded Carolyn Forster's Facebook profile page overnight as Blount County learned of the death of her husband, retired Maj. Gen. Fred Forster, who died Thursday night at the age of 64.
The social networking site became a way for Blount Countians to support the wife of the beloved community leader as news of his passing spread through the community via online and offline channels.
Amy Moore Morton said, on her Facebook post, “A family, a community - sharing in your loss and lifting you up with courage, hope , faith and love.”
The closeness of the Blount community was evident throughout the night as condolences and messages of hope were posted to Carolyn's profile even before any official confirmation of her husband's death had been released.
Expressions of gratitude and sympathy are being shared offline as well. Senator Lamar Alexander said, “Fred Forster was a patriot, a strong community leader, a good family man and a good friend. Blount County and I will miss him greatly.”
“Fred Forster was an honorable man who believed deeply in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He believed in prayer and accepted the will of God without complaint. Dignity, respect, honor, faith, love, commitment; these are the words that describe Fred,” said Raymond W. Burnett, senior pastor of
Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.
Forster entered the Air Force in September 1968 after receiving his commission through ROTC at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. He served eight years on extended active duty in the U. S. Air Force where he was a T-38 instructor pilot, served on a joint staff as an operations plans officer at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and as a KC-135 pilot and instructor pilot.
He joined the Tennessee Air National Guard in October 1976. Following assignments as group plans officer and aircraft maintenance officer, General Forster was assigned command of the 134th Air Refueling Group in December 1987, the Group later became a Wing. General Forster was promoted to Brigadier General in December 1998 and served as Chief of Staff, Headquarters, Tennessee Air National Guard until July 2002, when he assumed duties as Assistant Adjutant General, Air. He retired from the Tennessee Air National Guard in May 2003 with the rank of Major General.
He served as the President/CEO of the Blount Partnership, consisting of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, Smoky Mountain Convention & Visitors Bureau and Blount County Chamber Foundation from January 1999 until his retirement on June 30, 2010.
Major General Frederick Forster passed away in the evening on Thursday, November 18. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and two daughters, Rebecca, and daughter and son-in-law Joy and Will Carver, grandson Drew Carver and granddaughter Caroline Carver.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21 at St. John's Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville. Inturnment with full military honors will be 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 22 at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, 3508 Wildwood Rd., Maryville.
Family will receive friends at the church's Activity Center from 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday.
- [S25] Smith Mortuary Company, www.smithmortuary.com, 18 Nov 2010.
Born: September 22, 1946
Died: November 18, 2010
Services: A funeral service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville on Sunday, November 21, at 3:00 p.m.
Visitation: Inurnment with full military honors will take place on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Maryville, with visitation to follow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the church's Activities Center.
Frederick Harwood Forster, 64, died Thursday, November 18, at Blount Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family following a lengthy battle with cancer. His faith inspires us. His wisdom empowers us. His smile uplifts us. He was a graduate of West High School, Knoxville, and The University of the South at Sewanee where he was president of his fraternity and a member of The Order of Gownsmen. Fred affectionately considered himself a 'Baptipalian', with involvement in both Baptist and Episcopal congregations throughout his life. Upon graduation, he was commissioned through ROTC into the U.S. Air Force and served the military with distinction for 35 years. At the rank of Colonel, he commanded the 134th Air Refueling Wing in Knoxville for 11 years, during which he lead over 1500 airmen in the joint forces of the 1713th Air Refueling Wing in Dubai, UAE, during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He was later named Assistant Adjutant General for Air for the State of Tennessee, retiring with the highest rank for a Guardsman, Major General. Following his service in the military, he was asked to serve as President and CEO of the Blount County Chamber Partnership, a career he loved as much as his first. Fred also was proud to be a part of many great non-profit boards and local causes, including United Way, Tremont, Metropolitan Airport Authority, National Advisory Council at Maryville College, Kiwanis, Nine Counties. One Vision, Boy Scouts, and Relay for Life. Fred's love for his community was reflected in everything he did. He was preceded in death by his father, M.G. Forster and brother, John C. Forster. Survivors include his wife and best friend, Carolyn DeLozier Forster; daughters, Joy Forster Carver and her husband William J. Carver of Maryville, Rebecca Forster of Washington, D.C., and Katherine Forster Watson of Knoxville; grandchildren, Drew and Caroline Carver; mother, Harriet Canterberry Forster of Maryville; sister, Jane Forster Wacaster and her husband, Dr. C. Thompson Wacaster of Meridian, MS; aunt, Anne C. Speake of Huntsville, AL; several nieces and nephews. Fred especially enjoyed the bonds of friendship with his longtime hunting buddies and his Monday morning Prayer Group. A funeral service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville on Sunday, November 21, at 3:00 p.m. Inurnment with full military honors will take place on Monday at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Maryville, with visitation to follow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the church's Activities Center. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The Fred Forster Memorial Fund supporting the Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804; or the building fund for Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, 3508 Wildwood Road, Maryville, TN 37804. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to The Fred Forster Memorial Fund supporting the Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804; or the building fund for Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, 3508 Wildwood Road, Maryville, TN 37804.
Cemetery: Mt. Lebanon Bapitst Church Cemetery
Church: St. John's Episcopal Cathedral
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 19 Nov 2010.
Tributes to Forster flood Facebook
By Timothy S. Hankins
timh@thedailytimes.com
Care, concern and compassion flooded Carolyn Forster's Facebook profile page as Blount County learned of the death of her husband, retired Maj. Gen. Fred Forster, who died Thursday night at the age of 64.
The social networking site became a way for Blount Countians to mourn the beloved community leader as news of his passing spread through the community, spurred by comments shared on Carolyn's profile.
It began around 3 p.m. Thursday afternoon with urgent calls to prayer and messages of love, support and encouragement for the Forster family during the General's final hours. When news of Fred's death was posted online, the outpouring of emotion was almost immediate. The common thread: the love and closeness of a community family, sharing the loss of a husband, father, friend and leader.
By late Thursday evening, hundreds of comments filled Carolyn's profile before any official confirmation of her husband's death had been released.
The news of Fred's passing would have spread regardless, given his stature and status in the community. But Facebook made that news almost instantaneous.
The messages of sympathy, hope and encouragement on Carolyn's page are heartwarming. They illustrate what a tight-knit community Blount County is. But more importantly, they show the kind of man Forster was. His legacy needs no better description than this outpouring at the time of his passing.
Those commenting used Scripture, poetry and images to express their condolences. Many recalled the kind of man Fred was, both as a friend and a community leader. Several people remarked on his spirit of hospitality, his willingness to show kindness to a stranger.
Len Fout said, on his Facebook comment, “Fred was one of the first people that welcomed me to Tennessee with open arms nearly 8 years ago. He was a special man and I'm a better person for having known him.”
Others who commented lauded his work as a community leader. Sharon Waltz Hughes said, “Fred has been such a pillar in this community, leaving many legacies behind. I imagine he will be given many jewels in his crown for all his love for his family and community.”
In a Facebook conversation, Bonny Millard shared her thoughts on the Fred's work in the community. “As I've gotten to know Fred and Carolyn Forster, I've come to think of them as Mr. and Mrs. Blount County because they have spent tireless hours working for the good of our community on many different projects.
“Despite fighting the battle of his life, Fred has always had a smile to share with everyone and showed tremendous strength and courage in the face of this awful disease. He and Carolyn have been towering pillars of strength for each other and for the community. He will be greatly missed.”
She went on to reiterate the sentiments of many Facebook comments on Carolyn's profile. “It is now time for the community to wrap its collective arms around the Forster family to offer comfort and encouragement during this difficult time,” she said.
Blogger pays tribute
The flood of encouragement wasn't contained to Facebook. Mary Beth West wrote about Forster on her blog, marybethwest.com. In her post, West highlights many of the things Fred accomplished in his post-retirement career as a community leader. But the most striking moment is West's account of the man himself — who he was as a person.
She writes, “I well remember a story Fred told Charles and me once, of his flying a fighter jet high in the night sky and seeing a shooting star blaze across the atmosphere directly above his aircraft.
“‘Lit up that cockpit like a Christmas tree,' he said, with that twinkle in his eye. He also spoke of his faith and how in moments like that, there certainly was felt the presence of the Lord.
“To me, the memory of Fred's commitment and accomplishments will always be just as awe-inspiring as the light he must have encountered that night ... only Fred's light still burns bright through his family and with the impact he's made on countless lives.
“That's a light that never goes out.”
It seems that his death, much like his life, helped to define the community he lived in. As people have come together online, and, to be sure, in many other ways over the past 48 hours, it's easy to imagine that this is the kind of community Fred would be proud to leave behind.
Perhaps Amy Anne Morton sums it up in her comment on Carolyn's Facebook profile. “A family, a community sharing in your loss and lifting you up with courage, hope, faith and love.”
A community of people, online and off, supporting and lifting one another up in a time of grief, using every tool available to live out the very act of community — it presents the kind of hope Fred Forster lived for.
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 20 Nov 2010.
Blount mourns Maj. Gen. Fred Forster
By Frank “Buzz” Trexler
frank.trexler@thedailytimes.com
As news of his death Thursday night moved through Blount County by word of mouth and cyberspace well into Friday, retired Maj. Gen. Frederick Harwood “Fred” Forster was remembered not just for his service to country, but to his God, his family and his community.
“Fred was one of the finest men I have ever known,” U.S. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. said. “He was a very patriotic American who dedicated his life to serving his country.”
Duncan thought enough of Forster and his service to salute him in the Congressional Record on May 13, 2003, upon his retirement as assistant adjutant general for the Tennessee Air National Guard.
“Fred Forster was a patriot, a strong community leader, a good family man and a good friend,” said U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is a native of Maryville. “Blount County and I will miss him greatly.”
Forster, 64, died Thursday night at Blount Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his family, after more than three years of fighting cancer. The longtime community and military leader had battled the disease for some time, but believed he had successfully beaten it back by the time he announced his retirement as president and CEO of the Blount Partnership. During an interview with The Daily Times at the time of that announcement in March, Forster called the battle a “rough road” that he was determined to successfully traverse, but which he also saw as a wake-up call.
“Anytime you have a health issue, it gets your attention,” Forster said. ”It reminds you that we're all mortal and our day is coming, one way or another. We'll all have to face health issues down the road,” he said. “I've been very fortunate.”
Among the fortunes Forster counted in life was his wife, Carolyn. “She was invaluable. Couldn't ask for a better supporter and a partner and a helper and sustainer,” he said.
‘Servant leader'
Forster himself was considered a community treasure by many Blount Countians, one of whom was Sharon Hannum, whose memory of a person she calls the community's “biggest ‘cheerleader'” fairly well typifies the comments received at The Daily Times:
“I met Fred Forester years ago, while he was still the Base Commander and during that time, I was so impressed by his compassionate attitude toward people,” said Hannum, chair of the Blount Chamber Foundation. “While he certainly was in a position to be ‘autocratic,' he chose to live a life of servanthood.
“When Gen. Forster chose to retire from his military duties, he did not retire from service,” she said. “Upon his appointment to the position of CEO/president of the Chamber, I was truly elated and looked forward to his serving in that capacity, which he did with zeal, enthusiasm and excellence.
“When his health began to fail, his spirit did not,” she said. “I have met no stronger, dedicated and compassionate leader than in the person of Fred Forster.
“We became great friends over the years and I will miss him greatly. He has fought the ‘good fight' and has finished his fight. ... we, though, are left as friends, colleagues and the community at large, to finish ours without our biggest ‘cheerleader.' Gen. Fred Forster epitomizes the term ‘servant leader” and that is how I will always remember him.”
Forster's pastor at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, the Rev. Raymond W. Burnett, said Blount County has lost a “great man and friend to this community.”
“Fred Forster was an honorable man who believed deeply in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,” Burnett said. “He believed in prayer and accepted the will of God without complaint. Dignity, respect, honor, faith, love, commitment; these are the words that describe Fred.”
Military background
Forster was a graduate of West High School, Knoxville, and entered the Air Force in the midst of the Vietnam War in September 1968, having received his commission as a second lieutenant on June 4, 1968, through ROTC at University of the South at Sewanee where he was president of his fraternity and a member of The Order of Gownsmen. It was there that he received a bachelor's degree in English literature.
In 1972, he received a master's degree in education from Troy State University in Alabama. From that point on, Forster's continuing military education included the Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College, Army Command and General Staff College, Air War College, and the U.S. Department of State's Senior Seminar.
The career military leader's many assignments took him around the world, from his earliest pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, in 1968, to serving as an operations plans officer at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air force Base, Thailand, as well as commanding a position at the 1713 Air Refueling Wing (Provisional) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which supported combat missions during the liberation of Kuwait.
Forster served as commander of the 134th Air Refueling Group, Tennessee Air National Guard, from 1991-93; commandeer of the 134th Air Refueling Wing, 1994-98; and chief of staff of the Tennessee Air National Guard, 1998-2002. In 2002, he was named assistant adjutant general of the Tennessee Air National Guard, from which he retired in May 2003. In his nearly 35 years of service, Forster received dozens of awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service medal. he logged more than 4,500 flight hours on aircraft ranging from the training aircraft, such as the T-37 and T-42, to KC-135A and KC-135E refuelers.
While retired from military duty, Forster continued to serve: as chief executive officer of the Blount Partnership — Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau and Blount Chamber Foundation — from January 1999 until his retirement on June 30.
Civic work
In addition to the Blount Partnership work, Forster served in dozens of civic public and private organizations, including: Technology 2020, Nine Counties One Vision, East Tennessee Economic Development Agency, Maryville College National Advisory Committee, Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority, Tremont Board of Directors, Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives Board of Directors, Blount Memorial Hospital Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Knoxville, Maryville-Alcoa Blount County Recreation & Parks Commission, Dogwood Arts Festival of Knoxville, Blount County Chamber Foundation, ALCOA Scholarship Selection Committee, Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Bank of East Tennessee Regional Board of Directors, Youth Service U.S.A. of Knoxville, First Tennessee Bank Region Board of Directors, University of Tennessee Chancellor's Associates, Blount County Education Foundation Board of Directors and United Way of Blount County (Board of Directors and Campaign Chairman), and Relay for Life.
Other organizational work included National Guard Association of Tennessee, Air Force Association, VFW (Life Member), Kiwanis Club of Alcoa, Knoxville Civitan Club, Alpha Tau Omega, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Blue Key.
Among his many civic honors: Boy Scouts of America, Great Smoky Mountains Council, Citizen of the Year, 1992, and Silver Beaver Award, 2007; Public Relations Society of America, Volunteer Chapter, Community Service Award, 2000.
Forster was a 1990 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and a 1996 graduate of Leadership Blount County.
He was preceded in death by his father, M.G. Forster, and brother, John C. Forster.
Survivors include his wife, said to be his “best friend,” Carolyn DeLozier Forster; daughters, Joy Forster Carver, of Maryville, Rebecca Forster, of Washington, D.C., and Katherine Forster Watson, of Knoxville; grandchildren, Drew and Caroline Carver; mother, Harriet Canterberry Forster, of Maryville; sister, Jane Forster Wacaster, of Meridian, Miss.; aunt, Anne C. Speake of Huntsville, Ala.; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral in Knoxville. Inurnment with full military honors will take place 2 p.m. Monday at Mount. Lebanon Baptist Church Cemetery, Maryville, with visitation to follow from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the church's Activities Center.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Fred Forster Memorial Fund supporting the Clayton Center for the Arts, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804; or the building fund for Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, 3508 Wildwood Road, Maryville, TN 37804.
Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, is in charge of arrangements.
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 20 Nov 2010.
A Major General's Career
SOURCE: National Guard Bureau
Originally published: November 20. 2010 3:01AM
Last modified: November 20. 2010 6:53AM
Major General Frederick H. Forster retired May 5, 2003, as the assistant adjutant general for the Tennessee Air National Guard, a position he assumed in December 1998 and through which he commanded and insured the readiness of Tennessee's three flying and three mission support units. The flying units consist of a C-130 Wing in Nashville, a C-141 Wing in Memphis and a KC-135 Wing in Knoxville.
The General entered the Air Force in September 1968 after receiving his commission through the ROTC at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. He served eight years on extended active duty in the U.S. Air Force where he was a T-38 instructor pilot, served on a joint staff as an operations plans officer at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, and as a KC-135 pilot and instructor pilot. He joined the Tennessee Air National Guard in October 1976. Following assignments as group plans officer and aircraft maintenance officer, General Forster was assigned command of the 134th Air Refueling Group in December 1987. The Group later became a Wing.
Education:
1968 — Bachelor's degree in English literature from The University of the South, Sewanee.
1972 — Master's degree in foundation of education from Troy State University in Alabama.
1973 — Squadron Officers School.
1982 — Air Command and Staff College.
1982 — Army Command and General Staff College.
1985 — Air War College.
1994 — The Senior Seminar; U.S. Dept. of State.
Assignments:
1. September 1968 — September 1969, student, undergraduate Pilot Training, Webb Air Force Base, Texas.
2. September 1969 — January 1970, student, Pilot Instructor Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
3. January 1970 — April 1970, Instructor Pilot, Craig Air Force Base, Ala.
4. April 1971 — August 1973, Academic Instructor/Instructor Pilot, Craig Air Force Base, Ala.
5. August 1973 — January 1974, EB-66 Tac Electronic Warfare Training Course, Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.
6. January 1974 — January 1975, NAF/DOD Air Operations Plans Officer, Thailand
7. January 1975 — May 1975, SAC Combat Crew Training Course, student, Castle Air Force Base, Calif.
8. May 1975 — October 1976, Aircraft Commander, Grissom Air Force Base, Ind.
9. October 1976 — March 1977, Air Operations Officer, Tennessee Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
10. March 1977 — October 1978, Aircraft Maintenance Officer, Tennessee Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
11. October 1978 — November 1980, Aircraft Systems Flight Evaluation Pilot, Tennessee Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
12. November 1980 — March 1988, Deputy Commander, Maintenance, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
13. March 1988 — December 1990, Commander of 134AREFG, Tennessee Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
14. December 1990 — May 1991, Commander 1713 AREFW(P), Dubai, UAE.
May 1991 — August 1993, Commander 134 AREFG, TN Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
15. August 1993 — July 1994, student, The Senior Seminar, Washington D.C.
16. July 1994 — December 1998, Commander 134 Air Refueling Wing, Tennessee Air National Guard, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tenn.
17. December 1998 — July 15, 2002, Chief of Staff, HQ Tennessee Air National Guard, Nashville, Tenn.
18. July 15, 2002 to Present — Assistant Adjutant General, Tennessee Air National Guard, Nashville, Tenn.
Flight Information:
Rating: Command Pilot
Flight Hours: More than 4,500 hours
Aircraft Flown: T-42, T-37, T-38, EB-66, T-39, KC-135A, KC-135E.
Major Awards And Decorations:
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor with 7 devices
Combat Readiness Medal with 6 devices
National Defense Service Medal with 1 device
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 devices
Armed Forces Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Short Tour Ribbon
Air Force Longevity Service Award with 6 devices
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 2 devices
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Kuwait Liberation Medal (SA)
Kuwait Liberation Medal (K)
Tennessee Distinguished Service Ribbon
Tennessee Commendation Medal
Tennessee War Service Ribbon
Tennessee Service Ribbon with Service Star and 3 devices
Tennessee Volunteer Ribbon
Tennessee Distinguished Unit Commendation
Tennessee Volunteer Retention and Recruiting Unit
Effective Dates Of Promotion:
Second Lieutenant June 4, 1968
First Lieutenant March 9, 1970
Captain Sept. 9, 1971
Major 14 Sept. 1977
Lieutenant Colonel July 9, 1983
Colonel July 1, 1987
Brigadier General Nov. 4, 1998
Major General July 15, 2002
(Current as of May 2003)
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 20 Nov 2010.
Blount Countians pay tribute to Fred Forster
From Staff Reports
Originally published: November 20. 2010 3:01AM
Last modified: November 21. 2010 7:21AM
The Daily Times received a number of comments concerning the passing of Maj. Gen. Fred Forster. Rather than pare them down for inclusion in a single story, we have chosen to share them here:
“Fred was one of the finest men I have ever known,” U.S. Rep. John J. “Jimmy” Duncan Jr. said. “He was a very patriotic American who dedicated his life to serving his country.”
“Fred Forster was a patriot, a strong community leader, a good family man and a good friend,” said U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander, who is a native of Maryville. “Blount County and I will miss him greatly.”
“The military members of McGhee Tyson are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the greatest commanders in the history of the 134 ARW,” said Col. Tim Dearing, 134th ARW commander. Gen. Forster's impact on the military was not only felt at McGhee Tyson but throughout the Air National Guard and the Air Force as he deployed the unit in response to Desert Shield/Desert Storm. He served as the chair of the Air National Guard Wing Commander's Council affecting policy and plans for all of the Air National Guard.
“Gen. Forster had such a passion for the Guard that he stayed engaged with the Unit after his retirement, supporting our efforts to grow and bring new recruits to the Wing.
“Gen. Forster was a trusted confidant of mine, offering advice and guidance, but most of all encouragement. If I was ever in doubt about a path to take the wing or to understand the dynamics of the community and the base, Gen. Forster was the man I could trust to listen and offer advice.”
“Blount County has lost a great leader, mentor, Christian, service man, but most of all a valued friend,” said Bryan Daniels, interim president and CEO of Blount Partnership. “Our lives are much richer for having known him. We will all miss him.”
“Fred was a wonderful Christian man, a great leader of the Blount Partnership, and was very involved in our community,” said Bryan Cable, chairman of the Smoky Mountain Convention and Visitors Bureau. “He loved Blount County, and worked very hard to make it a better place to live. I will miss him, and my thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
“Fred Forster has been a larger than life figure in our community and the East Tennessee region,” said Maryville City Manager Greg McClain. “Fred's love for his family, his country, and his community has been truly inspirational. I will miss his persistent optimism, his kind and giving heart, and his devoted friendship.”
“I am deeply saddened by the news of Fred's passing and my prayers are with Carolyn's and Fred's family as they go through this difficult time,” said Alcoa City Manager Mark Johnson. “Obviously there is a great deal I could say about Fred's career and accomplishments in terms of being a great leader, diplomat, family man, etc., but more importantly, Fred was an inspiration to all who knew him as an example of how to live and make the best out of what life throws at you. Whether it was good or, as was the case over the past few years, bad; Fred always took the high road and was planning for tomorrow to be a better day. Lastly, Fred was a good friend and was the kind of guy you simply enjoyed being around. He had a story for every occasion and was one of the few people who could make me laugh until it hurt. I will miss him but am thankful for the opportunity to have known him over the past many years.”
“Blount County is a better place because of Fred Forster,” said Andy White, Maryville vice mayor. “I'll always remember his positive attitude and can-do spirit. I feel very fortunate to have known and worked with Fred. The General will be missed.”
“Our entire community is profoundly sadden by the loss of Fred Forster,” said Maryville Mayor Tom Taylor. “Because of his unusual background in the military and the civilian workplace, he was one of those rare leaders with the vision to initiate projects of broad scope while still attending to the details so necessary for success. His legacy of influence and accomplishments will be part of our region for many years into the future. On behalf of the Maryville City Council, the employees of the City of Maryville, and all the grateful citizens of Maryville, we join his family and friends in grieving the loss of Fred Forster but also join them in celebrating a life well lived and a job well done.”
“My greatest impression of Fred was his resilience in the face of adversity, truly an opportunity for all of us to learn an important lesson about life.” said Matt Murray, Economic Development Board chairman.
“He was a great commanding officer and personally to me a great mentor and friend, and as everyone who knew him can attest, a great guy,” said Gary Hall, who worked with Forster for about 10 years, serving at various points as chief of security, security police squadron commander, and as Forster's wing executive officer. “He was absolutely the best extemporaneous speaker I have ever heard. He could, on a moment's notice, speak with authority on most any subject — especially if it was dealing with leadership, airmanship or human interaction and relationships. He will be greatly missed by a wide and varied segment of this community, state and nation,”
“Fred was truly a cornerstone in this community,” said Katherine Best Caputo, executive director of Leadership Blount. “He was an inspiring leader, dedicated family man, and one of the great contributors to Blount County. We are blessed he called Blount County home. He will be missed.”
“We've lost one of our own,” said Brenda Sellers, board president of United Way of Blount County, who visited Forster on Wednesday to share with him that the 2010 United Way campaign goal had been reached. “He gave me the Fred Forster thumbs up,” she recalled. “He loved Blount County and United Way.”
"Fred Forster was a member of Alcoa Kiwanis for 24 years," said Carl Stein, current club president. "Fred will be remembered for his service to Kiwanis, country and the Blount County community. He will be missed."
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 7 Jun 2011.
Honor Guard dedicates new flagpole honoring Gen. Forster at Blount Chamber
By robert norris bobn@thedailytimes.com
Fred Forster would have felt at ease at the ceremony to dedicate a flagpole in his memory Monday.
He would not have stood at ease, of course. The late major general, who died Nov. 18, 2010, would have stood at attention as the colors were posted in his honor, per military protocol.
But he would have felt at home because the flagpole stands in front of the Blount County Chamber of Commerce, where he served as volunteer chairman of the Chamber and later as president and chief executive officer of the Blount Partnership.
He would have been comfortable with the ceremony, the raising of the Stars and Stripes. As a career military man, he watched untold hundreds, perhaps thousands, of flag raisings.
He would have been happy, too. Carolyn Forster, his wife and partner in life, was in attendance Monday.
A plaque at the base of the flagpole reads: Dedicated in memory of Major General Frederick H. Forster in service to Blount County Partnership as president and CEO, January 1999 to June 2010.
Forster retired from the military as the assistant adjutant general for the Tennessee Air National Guard. He had previously commanded the 134th Air Refueling Wing and McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Air Base.
Bryan Daniels, successor to Forster as Blount Partnership president and CEO, said, “It is very fitting that our Chamber is on the grounds of Fort Craig, and now we’re going to have a flag in Fred’s honor — someone who spent a lifetime defending our country and keeping us all safe.”
Col. Timothy Dearing, commander of the 134th Wing and of the air base until a change of command ceremony Saturday, said, “Fred was all about service. He taught us about serving our country, serving our community, and even toward the end of his life he showed us how to live our life even in adversity.”
Col. Tom Cauthen, who assumed command of the wing and base from Dearing, said of Forster, “He was a personal hero of mine, the icon of serving and leadership. He will be sorely missed. He was very highly respected by everyone in the community. Very much loved by his family, Carolyn and their daughters — and I call it the second family, his Air National Guard family, about 3,500 strong.”
The flag posted by the color guard flew over McGhee Tyson Air Base on June 4, the eighth anniversary of Forster’s retirement from the military.
Chris Soro, owner and president of C2rl Engineering Inc. and past Chamber Board chairman, said the flagpole was the result of a group effort.
“Bryan (Daniels) called me one day and said, ‘You know, we need a flagpole.’ They’ve had a flag hanging in the Chamber in the lobby — Fred had to have a flag, which he should. So we just got to looking around and seeing what we could do,” Soro said.
Tennessee Marble donated the plaque. Massey Electric did the lighting so the flag will be properly illuminated at night. America’s Best Flags of Roswell, Ga., refurbished the flagpole, a pole that had stood for 25 years on another site before being recycled.
“We were able to repurpose it, put a new ball on it and shine it up. It’s going to serve a great purpose in the memory of a great man,” Soro said.
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