David W. Foerster

Obituary

Foerster

David Wendel Foerster, age 98, died on November 20, 2021.

A Jacksonville native, known since infancy by a third-generation family nickname "Dink", and whose family originally came to Florida in 1870, Mr. Foerster was the son of the late Robert 0. Foerster and Ewing Wendel Foerster and was predeceased by two brothers, Robert 0. Foerster, Jr. and James W. Foerster.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Vason Foerster, and five children: David Wendel Foerster, Jr. of Atlanta, Margaret Foerster Bratton (Theodore) of Raleigh, Michael Clements Foerster (Michelle), Amy Foerster Lyerly (John), Caroline Foerster Hammond (Brandon) of Jacksonville, seven grandchildren; Theodore Dubose Bratton, Jr. ( Katherine), Gabrielle Bratton Hall (Edwin), Margaret Bratton Dillon (Alexander), John McIllwaine Lyerly, Jr., Caroline Vason Lyerly, Emily Grace Hammond, Anna Wendel Hammond and three great grandchildren, Theodore DuBose Bratton, III and Mildred Foerster Bratton, and Robert Edwin Hall, Jr., all of whom, and especially with the love, devotion, involvement and enthusiasm of his wife, Margaret, made his life complete.

He was graduated from Washington and Lee University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 1947 and a Juris Doctorate degree from its law school in 1951. He served as a Naval Aviator during World War II, flying night submarine patrol in the Atlantic and Mediterranean and after the war, flying as a Navy "Hurricane Hunter" in the Caribbean.

Upon admission to The Florida Bar, he practiced law in Jacksonville, throughout Florida and the southeast for over 60 years, specializing in the field of Eminent Domain trial practice. Serving as General Counsel for the Jacksonville Expressway Authority, he was responsible for the acquisition of right of way for the original Jacksonville Expressway System and thereafter represented numerous private and corporate landowners whose property was taken for public use. He authored many published articles on the subject of Eminent Domain, including co¬author of the text "Florida Eminent Domain Practice and Procedure" published by The Florida Bar. In 2000, he was honored by The Florida Bar for his contribution to the law of Eminent Domain in Florida. He was past President of the Jacksonville Bar Association and he also served on the Board of Governors of The Florida Bar.

An initial co-founder of The Episcopal School of Jacksonville, in which he took great pride, he served on its Board of Trustees and as its Chairman for many years after which the administration building was named for him. He now serves as Trustee Emeritus.

A member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, he served on its Vestry for many years and frequently participated as a volunteer at the Sulzbacher Center. He also was President of the Jacksonville Symphony Association and served on its Board both actively and as an honorary member for over 40 years. He was an honorary life member of the Florida Yacht Club, The Friars, long term member of the Wednesday Group and the Jacksonville Rotary Club of which he was a Paul Harris Fellow. Active as a long-time member of Memorial Park Association and past president, he was devoted to the beauty and maintenance of the park where he had learned to ride his first bicycle at age five.

A funeral to celebrate Dink's life will be held at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 4129 Oxford Avenue, Jacksonville Fl, on December 4, 2021 at 11 AM. Following the service, the Committal will take place in the St. Mark's Episcopal Church Memorial Garden. Afterward all are welcome to join the family at a reception at home, 5023 Yacht Club Road, Jacksonville Fl. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church or The Episcopal School of Jacksonville.

Arrangements by Evergreen Funeral Home & Crematory (www.evergreenjax.com) (904) 353-3649.