Foster, Don C., 1895-1971,

Don C. Foster, a long-time resident of the northwestern United States, is notable for his lengthy career in public service with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Born in 1895 near Kingfisher, Oklahoma, Foster attended Oklahoma State University and New Mexico State University. After serving in the Army during World War I, he held several jobs during the 1920s and early 1930s, including managing his father's Oklahoma ranch, acting as superintendent of Floyd Consolidated School in New Mexico, and serving as a county extension agent in New Mexico.

In 1935, Foster began his career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He traveled throughout the country working for the group, beginning in Warm Springs, Oregon as the head community worker, then moving on to act as superintendent of the Carson Indian Agency in Nevada from 1940-1944, general superintendent of the Alaska Native Service from 1944-1950, Minneapolis area director from 1950-1954, and Northwest area director from 1954 until his retirement in 1961. In his final position in Portland, he oversaw the Klamath Termination Act and helped establish guidelines for the sale of timberland. He also assisted in the development of the Kah-nee-ta Resort on the Warm Springs Reservation. In 1959, Foster received the Distinguished Service Award from Fred Seaton, the United States Secretary of the Interior.

Foster died in 1971 at the age of 75.

From the guide to the Don. C. Foster photographs, circa 1944-1964, (Oregon Historical Society)