Marlo Foster

Marlo died peacefully in Edmonds, WA on February 11, 2013 from complications related to his 26+ year battle with Parkinsons Disease. He was born October 3, 1931 in Lynden, WA. He was the second of four children born at the family homestead on the Benson Road to Almeda (Booman) and Miles Foster. They later moved to a small farm at the intersection of the Guide Meridian and Wiser Lake Road. Marlo graduated from Lynden High School where he played on the football and basketball teams. He enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean War and was stationed stateside in Colorado, Florida, and Texas. Marlo served as a bomber turret technician, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He married his high school sweetheart, Valerie DuVall, in 1951. Four years later they settled in South Snohomish County where they raised their three children. In 1963 Marlo joined the Edmonds Police Department as a Patrolman and was promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant. In 1971 he was appointed Chief of Police in Edmonds and served until his retirement in 1984. During his career he was instrumental in drafting and passage of the legislative bill creating the states first Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement System (LEOFF I). Marlo was a member and past president of the Washington State Law Enforcement Officers Association (WSLEA), active in the Washington State Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs Association, a charter member of the Lynnwood Elks Club, and served as president of the Edmonds Rotary Club. He was a graduate of Everett Community College and of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. He was involved in bringing the 911 technology into use in the South Snohomish County and was the first coordinator of Emergency Services for the area (ESCA) following his retirement from the Edmonds Police Department. During his unofficial hours, Marlo was an avid sports fisherman and hunter, experienced gardener and farmer, ardent sports fan and fervent reader who also was devoted to boating, cruising the Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands with family and friends. He raised his children to clean fish, dig clams, pick oysters and lift crab pots. He was a loving spouse and father, dedicated public servant, and loyal friend and mentor. In addition to boating, Marlo and Val spent their retirement years traveling throughout the US and Canada, along with enjoying cruises to Mexico, the Panama Canal and the Caribbean. Marlo is survived by his wife of 62 years, Valerie, of Lynnwood; son Steve (Rebecca) of Lynnwood; daughters Jeanne of Anacortes and Lynnette (Cameron) of Indianola, brother Allen (Jennie) of Moses Lake, grandsons Randy and Andrew and their families, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Vincent and sister Katy. In a private ceremony, Marlo was interred at the Edmonds Memorial Cemetery on February 22, 2012. A public memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Friday, March 8, 2013, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lynnwood. The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Parkinsons Foundation, 400 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109, or to a charity of your choice. Announcement: The family requests donations in lieu of flowers be sent to the Parkinsons Foundation, 400 Mercer Street Seattle, WA 98109, or to a charity of your choice.