Lee Foster
Lee Foster, known to everyone in BAIPA as a friendly, inspiring, generous man, and a prolific writer of travel books, has died. His death was unexpected as he was in good health, according to his family, and those of us who knew him are in shock. Ironically, his birthday was five days after his death.
Here are some quotes from some of Lee’s BAIPA colleagues:
- Becky Parker Geist, President of BAIPA – Lee was a dear friend and a great gift to the world. I’m grateful to have known him, learned from him, served with him. I’m grateful as well that his passing was so peaceful.
- Joel Friedlander, a past President of BAIPA – Lee Foster was a wonderful writer, a pioneering self-publisher, and one of the friendliest, most helpful people I’ve ever known. He will be missed.
- Lin Lacombe, a past President of BAIPA – Lee Foster was a warm, joyful, adventurous, supportive, wonder-filled, talented writer/author. Swift passage, dear traveler. Guide us from the ether, please. My heart is broken.
- Stephanie Chandler, Founder, Non-Fiction Authors Association – So sad to hear this news. I have known Lee for years and recently interviewed him for our weekly series. What an inspiring legacy he’s left.
- Arlene Miller, former BAIPA Board Secretary – I have known Lee since I joined BAIPA about ten years ago. We enjoyed talking about self-publishing, and also about politics. I really miss Lee. He was a friend and a mentor.
- Andrea Anderson, author, To Silicon Valley and Beyond – Oh, no, so sad to hear this. Lee was such a charming inspiration for exploring the fascination of California. It was always a pleasure talking to him at BAIPA meetings.
Lee’s book about self-publishing
This paragraph about Lee was posted by his family this week on their website:
Lee Foster grew up in Minnesota, went to Notre Dame, and then proceeded to Stanford for his graduate work in literature. There he decided to pursue a life of creating his own books, rather than an academic professorial path of books about books and teaching the gifted young. Lee published 18 books of fiction, non-fiction, travel. See them all on Lee’s Amazon Author Page. Lee offered travel writing/photography on more than 500 worldwide subjects on his website, and was a specialist on his home territory of Northern California. Lee lived in Berkeley, California, and was a publishing innovator. He was one of the first to embrace the Online, then the Internet, and finally the App world. Lee summarized part of his earlier record in an article, Moments in the Electronic Publishing Revolution: A Participant’s Journey.
Please feel free to add your own remembrances of Lee in the Comments below.
I’m so sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. He had so much wisdom to share, and he did so generously. Shucks, another indie publisher gone. Rest in peace, Lee, and thanks for all you gave us.
I had known Lee since the’70s. He’s irreplaceable. He was a wonderful guy whose work as a writer, publisher, and teacher was a labor of love. Lee was generous with his knowledge and friendship. He was a self-publishing pioneer, a contentpreneur who sold his work in as many forms, media, and countries as he could. I hope BAIPA will find a way to honor his decades of contributions to the writing community.
What a terrible shock and loss. Lee was the most kind, smart, talented, and gentle spirit I knew in BAIPA. We served on BAIPA’s board together where his wise counsel, wit and temperate nature helped guide proceedings. He was always gracious in sharing his wisdom and support and along with many others, I will deeply miss him.
Very sad indeed. I am grateful I got to meet Lee through BAIPA. He has been an inspiration and a cheerleader. And what an amazing writer and photographer.
Lee was a friendly, encouraging face at our monthly BAIPA meetings. He was always supportive and generous with his encouragement. I thank him for his kindness and acknowledgment and wish him many blessings in the after life. He will be missed.