In Memoriam: Foster Padway ’79
Foster Padway ’79, glass artist, passed away at age 69 in his home on August 5, 2023, with his family by his side. Devoted father of Emmett and Max Padway and proud father-in-law to Larisa and Bridget Padway, Foster is also survived by his much-loved siblings Nick ’72 , JD’75 (Janet ’75, MA’77) Padway, Deborah DeKosky ’74, and Vicky (David ’76, MS’80) Hestad; his sister-in-law Vicky Padway; and his former spouse and mother of his children Micky Padway. Beloved uncle of 17 nieces and nephews, he joins his brother Will ’79 and parents, Helen and Milton ’40, LLB’42. His passing has left an enormous void amongst his family and friends — he will always be remembered for his kind and generous spirit and his quick sense of humor. Foster welcomed all, loved deeply, and carried an artist’s flair for life. He inspired exceptional friendships and laughter in all he encountered. Always free-spirited, at just 16 he left home, lived on a kibbutz, and backpacked through Europe. Foster started working as a glass blower and actor/writer. To support his family, he began a career at Pfizer, a job he secured with a solid handshake and a BA in fine arts. After 10 years at Pfizer, he later founded and ran EmMax, a pharmaceutical marketing company, which succeeded due to his rigorous work ethic and irresistible charisma. Fatherhood was his greatest joy — he coached his boys’ little league teams with ferocious passion. Later in life, he rekindled his love for glassblowing and was a creative genius, inventing a new imprinting technique in his last years of life while batting cancer. He spent his final days doing what he loved most, being a father and crafting phenomenal works of art for as long as he could. He made a difference in the lives of many.
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