Honoring George Foster, IBB Founder

It is with great sadness that The Illinois Brass Band shares the news of the passing of our founder, Mr. George Foster.

We would like to extend our condolences to the extended Foster family, and to recognize George's vision, dedication and continued support of The Illinois Brass Band.

George Vanderkolk Foster, 92, passed away on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Libertyville, IL. He was born Dec. 14, 1932, in Lafayette, IN and had been a Libertyville resident since 1979.

He received his undergraduate degree and Ph.D. from Purdue University and was an avid Purdue men's basketball fan. George had been employed by Abbott Laboratories for many years and was a US Army veteran. In the mid-1950's, he was stationed on Governor’s Island while playing with the Army Band and once performed for both General Douglas MacArthur and the Queen of England.

In 1991, he co-founded the Illinois Brass Band (IBB), which won an unprecedented string of six U.S. championships in seven years (1996- 2002). IBB was also honored to attend the 2003 British Open Brass Band Championships - the first brass band outside the British Commonwealth to compete in this prestigious event. George was a member of Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Grayslake and an enthusiastic Cubs fan who greatly enjoyed annual trips to spring training in Arizona.

Surviving are two children, Mark Foster (Alyssa O’Neill) and Tamara Foster; three grandchildren, Samantha Foster (Montana Stahl), and Lukas and Noah Harding; a great-grandchild, Fenris Stahl; and his brother, Herbert (Sandra) Foster.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Charlene Foster in 2013.

A visitation will begin at 10 am Friday, March 7, 2025, until time of his funeral service at 11:30 am Friday, at the Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. (Rt. 176, one block west of Milwaukee Ave.), Libertyville. Interment will follow at Lakeside Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 32475 N. Alleghany Road, Grayslake, IL 60030.

Info, 847-362-3009

Upcoming events

Friday, November 1, 2024

Fall Concert
Time: 7:00 PM
First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights
1903 E Euclid Ave
Arlington Hts, IL
Fall concert featuring cornet soloist, Dr. Bruce Briney

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