Robert Allan Foster Jr.

The Honorable Judge Robert Allan Foster, Jr., age 75, born on January 15, 1947 in Tampa, FL; sadly, passed away in Tampa on July 16, 2022. Judge Foster was a Retired judge for the 13th judicial circuit in Hillsborough County, where he served with honor and distinction. He earned his B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida in 1972 and his J.D. from South Texas College of Law in 1975. Judge Foster began his career in 1976 as an Assistant Public Defender for Hillsborough County. He worked as a lawyer in Tampa for almost 25 years. In 2000, he was elected to serve Hillsborough County as a Circuit Judge; he served 18 years. Once retired, he became a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator in 2018. He was a Tampa native and a 1964 graduate of Henry B. Plant High School.

His favorite quote was by Mark Twain - “Always do right; this will gratify some people and astonish the rest.” Those who knew him will likely recognize those words, either from hearing them spoken at some point or from recognizing them in the way he lived his life. He always had a kind word or a ribald joke at the ready; his energy and humor were infectious. Known for mentoring young lawyers and new judges, nobody was a stranger to him at the Courthouse. Prior to his election, he was an active member of Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla. He was a former member of Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club, Tampa Yacht and Country Club, and Hyde Park United Methodist Church. He always spoke fondly of his time participating in the Law League and of his Friday lunches with “The Committee.”

Always a sportsman, in 2004, Judge Foster helped coach the Palma Ceia / Bayshore baseball team, of which his son was a member, to win the Junior League World Series Championship. He was a season ticket holder of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers since their inception in 1976. He was an avid fisherman and conservationist. Most recently he had devoted time to perfecting his golf game, finding many friends among the members and residents of Hunter’s Green in Tampa.

Judge Foster was a man of faith and had endless love for his family. A devoted father and brother, he is survived by his daughter Caitlin, his son Rob (fiancé Brenna), his former wife Florence, and his siblings Bonnie (Bill Cocke), Allyn (Jay Lane), and Donnie (Becky) - as well as other family members. Preceded in death Judge Foster’s father Robert Allan Foster and, more recently, his mother Lucile Parsons Foster.

Funeral held on Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11 am at Hyde Park United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida (https://ccaflorida.org/) or the charity of your choice. Judge Foster’s family would like to Thank all their family, their Tampa / courthouse family, and friends for all their support, love, and compassion. May we all strive to always do right in his honor.