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Dr. Matthew (Matt) Christopher Foster (age 48) passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 20, 2022, at St. Charles Medical Center in Bend. Due to natural causes, he was found unconscious on Friday, February 11th and was sent by Life Flight to St. Charles Hospital in Bend from Lake District Hospital in Lakeview, Oregon. He was surrounded by family with so many prayers offered from extended family, prior patients, and friends throughout the country. He was born to Christopher (Chris) Lee Foster and Barbara Jean (Foster) Livesay in Portland, Oregon. He was married to Ana Lucia Mejia in 2005 in Central Point, Oregon and they had four beautiful children. Matt was baptized with Godparents Dan and Edie Rickard in attendance. His undergraduate work at Cornell University and Southern Oregon University (SOU) earned him three degrees in Biochemistry, Math, and English with minors in Physics and History. Learning was always an essential part of his life. He graduated from Beaverton High School, after passing five advanced placement tests. He played varsity and American Legion baseball under legendary Beaverton baseball coach, Mike Bubalo. He played Club baseball for SOU where he was recognized an All American. Baseball was a large part of Matt's life before entering medicine. He tutored other students in Math and Science. Matt graduated from Georgetown Medical School at the top of his class (Cum Laude). His residency in rural medicine was at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center, in Martinez, CA. He then lived in Madras to provide 'full spectrum' care (children to seniors) and Emergency Room work. From there he worked at the Veterans Affairs hospital in Bend, where he helped veterans who suffered from PTDS, Agent Orange exposure, and other affects from service. Since then, he had a special place in his heart for military veterans and he had extensively studied the history and battles of World War 2. In 2018 he joined the providers at Lake District Hospital in Lakeview. Matt provided full spectrum Primary Care and worked in the Emergency Room as well. As stated in Lake County Examiner, "The loss is immeasurable to his friends, colleagues and the Lakeview community." His four children were very important to him, and he explored nature with them through hiking, camping, and fishing. He enjoyed taking his kids on fossil digs and teaching them science and baseball skills. Prior to attending and graduating from medical school, he spent a year at the Tom Brown Outdoor School in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. He loved teaching his kids about science including Chemistry, Geology, Geography, Paleontology, Archeology, Matt loved spending time with Rudy, an Aussiedoodle, who was training as a service dog. Rudy was tenderly protecting him when found unconscious. He loved to hike scenic areas such as Smith Rock, Metolius River Basin, and Mt Shasta. In addition, he loved to write poetry and had articles published in the Journals of Applied Physics and Crystallography. Helping people in his medical practice was top priority and he viewed his patients as family members. We received many accolades for Matt's medical skills and so many comments have been posted on his FaceBook page. He routinely helped homeless people with first aid, water, and food. He was registered as an Organ Donor and his kidneys were donated to recipients in desperate need of them. He was honored at the Bend hospital by a procession of about 40 nurses and doctors lining the hallway as he was wheeled to Comfort Care. An Organ Donor Flag was raised at St. Charles Hospital in Bend honoring his organ donations. Survivors include his wife Ana L. Foster, sons Joaquin (13), Andres (10), and Javier (6), and daughter Carmen (8), mother Barbara J. (Foster) Livesay, father Chris L. Foster, brothers Mark Foster and John Hartman (Danielle & child, Piper), and stepmother Linda J. Holden. On his father's side he was survived by uncles Barry (Bruce Fillinger) and Kim (Deb) Foster, and aunts Liz and Candace Foster and several cousins. On his mother's side he was survived by uncle Jim Livesay, and several cousins. On his stepmother's side, he survived by aunts Judy DeVasier, Nancy Leahy, Pam (Bill) Colton, and several cousins. Matt was preceded in death by paternal grandparents, Arthur "Lee" and Helen F. Foster, and material grandparents Virgil and Dorathy Livesay. In his early years, Matt (and brother Mark) were lovingly tended by caregivers Barb and Jim Gunder. A celebration of life will be held at the Lakeview Courthouse Park/Veterans Memorial on June 18th from 12 noon to 2:00 pm. Other services will be determined at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to Oregon Autism Society of Oregon, or per your choice, contribute to a service dog training organization, an animal shelter, or a Veterans organization.

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Dr. Matthew (Matt) Christopher Foster

August 22, 1973 - February 20, 2022