Larry D. Foster, D.D.S., age 66, a long time Wheaton resident, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, March 12, 2023, after a long battle with colon cancer, surrounded by his family.

Son of George and Thelma Foster (Robison), Larry was born on May 18th, 1956, in Oak Park, IL and grew up in Melrose Park with his identical twin brother, Gary, and formed friendships with kids from the neighborhood that lasted throughout their lives.

He attended Holy Cross High School and then earned his AA in 1976, and his BA degree in 1981, from Southern Illinois in Dental Laboratory Science. He then attended Loyola Dental School, graduating in 1985, as a Doctor of Dental Surgery.

After receiving his degree, he joined the Army as a dentist and was stationed in Baumholder, Germany. On his first day in the country he met a German girl, that he would later marry and bring home, instead of the beer mug and cuckoo clock he had intended to get. He and Monika were blessed to be married nearly 36 years.

In 1988, they returned to the States and Larry joined the Illinois National Guard. He stayed in the National Guard for 30 years, achieving the rank of Colonel. While in the guard he was sent on medical missions all over South and Central America, served 3 tours of deployment, once to Afghanistan and twice to Iraq.

When not engaged in military duties, he enjoyed working in his private practice in Elmwood Park, which he later sold to take a position at Hines VA Hospital. He enjoyed his co-workers there, after having worked solo for over 20 years and formed many close connections, he worked there until forced to retire due to illness.

In his personal life, he was a devoted Dad to his daughter Katrina, who had joined the family in 1998, driving her to ice skating practice at the crack of dawn and attending all her skating competitions. He enjoyed a cold beer with friends at his favorite watering hole, Shannahan's in Forest Park. Larry enjoyed playing with his dogs and eating a good ribeye steak or burger. He loved living in Wheaton and made many good friends in the neighborhood. He sang in a German Choir in Forest Park for over 30 years and made many friends there.

He loved his Cubs and Bears and going to a game or watching it on TV. His biggest passion was fishing and he cherished his annual fishing trips with his twin and friends to Hayward Wisconsin.

He is survived by his wife Monika Foster, his daughter Katrina, and his twin Dr. Gary Foster. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Larry was laid back, easy going, and fought long and hard to stay, never complaining during his long hard battle with cancer . He will be missed very much by all that knew and loved him.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, March 17 at 11:00 at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton.  Friends may visit with the family from 10 to 11 a.m.   Military honors and a graveside service will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society , or Tunnel to Towers Foundation