Scott Joseph Foster

Scott Joseph Foster, age 37, of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away on Sunday, December 30, 2018. Scott was born February 22, 1981 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Jerri Lynn Foster and Stephen Lee Foster. Those lucky enough to be around Scott knew him as many things. While Scott was growing up, he was always a sweet boy and a loving son to his parents. Scott was a loving father to his daughter and made sure that family traditions passed down to him were shared with her. Scott was excited about carving a jack-o-lantern and getting a new Christmas tree for his apartment this year and wanted things to be special for Zion. Scott knew he always wanted to be a father and would show off Zion to anyone he could. He especially liked doing this when he’d take her on walks on the Monon Trail. He was proud of her and his love for her was beyond measure. Scott was a 2000 graduate of Hamilton Southeastern High School. Most recently, he was pursuing his passion in scientific research as a thriving chemistry student at IUPUI expecting to graduate this May of 2019. He was an American Chemical Society certified Chemist. He was currently working in a bioorganic laboratory where he focused his research in site-directed mutagenesis, transformation of plasmids and heterologous genetic expression. Scott loved spending time in the lab and obtained a leadership role helping to train incoming students on proper use of the lab equipment. Throughout his time at IUPUI, Scott had been a teaching assistant, lab assistant and a tutor for organic and analytic chemistry and most of the advance mathematics courses. Scott’s mother’s nick-name for him was The Walking Encyclopedia, and rightly so… Scott was the recipient of the IUPUI’s School of Science Dean’s Scholar Scholarship and the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Scholarship. Scott also presented at the Center for Research and Learning Summer Poster Symposium at IUPUI. Scott repeatedly made the Dean’s List. Scott’s long term plans were to obtain his PhD in Chemistry and eventually find a research position within the industry. He had officially applied to the University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, Indiana University and Indiana University School of Medicine. A singular moment for Scott was when he told his family about getting all of his applications sent off to grad school. We all know he was getting closer to his dreams and we all expected multiple acceptance letters. Scott was known for his laughter and for being funny... His laugh and smile would affect those around him as he was always a joy to be around and was a light to everyone in his life. Scott was a professional at making others laugh be it from his jokes or his well-known pranks on others. All of these things made Scott a great friend to those around him, as there wasn't a person around Scott whose day wasn't brightened by Scott's laugh, smile, charm, or wit. Scott was also quite spiritual and this reflected outwardly as he was always kind and giving not only to those around him but also to the community. Scott was a parishioner at Saint Joan of Arc Catholic Church. Scott’s Catholic faith was the center fact of his life. Anyone who knows Scott knows that his favorite saint was Padre Pio. Based on this devotion to St. Padre Pio, Scott had a deep compassion for others who were hurting and in despair. He believed strongly that Christ was encountered by helping those that are truly suffering. He lived this out by volunteering for Operation Leftover, Angel Tree Ministry, Prison Ministry and the Marion County Work Release Mentoring. Scott was also involved in overseas humanitarian work in Kenya via the Fallen Shadows Chapter of AFC where he helped street children and volunteered in an orphanage for children with HIV. Lately, Scott would get a lot of enjoyment from his bike rides through Broad Ripple. It was a big stress reliever for him. He also developed a love for cooking. His specialties were fried pork chops in his new cast iron skillet and scratch guacamole that he always brought to family gatherings. His zeal for life has taken him on many travel adventures including Grenada, Venezuela, Mexico, Kenya, Spain, and United Arab Emirates. St. Therese of Lisieux once said, "It is not Death that will come to fetch me, it is the good God. Death is no phantom, no horrible specter, as presented in pictures. In the catechism it is stated that death is the separation of soul and body, that is all! Well, I am not afraid of a separation which will unite me to the good God forever.” In faith and in love, we all share the sorrow and loss of Scott, as he will be missed by all who knew of him through the acts of kindness, love, compassion, and happiness he provided. Scott is survived by; daughter Zion Sophia Foster-Knipp; father Stephen Lee Foster; brother Nicholas Stephen Foster and sister-in-law Sara Foster; uncle Mark Reed, aunt Debbie Reed, aunt Laura Alexander, uncle Jim Foster and aunt Barb Foster, many cousins and friends. His mother, Jerri Lynn Foster, preceded Scott in death. A visitation for Scott will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. A funeral mass will occur Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Joan of Arc, 4217 Central Ave, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205. A burial will occur Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Crown Hill Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208.