Tom Jennings Forster

Tom Jennings Forster was born on November 15, 1930, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Raised by his devoted mother, Ines Forster, Tom grew up in a nurturing environment that kindled his passion for academics, the cultural arts, and athletics. He crafted his own mandolin and for many years also found joy in playing classical guitar. Tom's early years were marked by an adventurous spirit, which led him to ride his bicycle all the way to St. Louis with a friend, a feat that garnered them local newspaper recognition. A champion swimmer in high school, he later crossed Seneca Lake, the largest of the glacial finger lakes in New York.

Tom's military career began at the Naval Academy, where he met and fell in love with a classmate’s sister, Dale Deuel. Sparked by a blind date, their romance quickly blossomed, and following his commission into the Air Force, he married her in Laredo, TX, during pilot training. During the next few years, he and Dale settled in Topeka, KS, where they began the amazing adventure of parenting three children.

Tom piloted B-47 aircraft during the Cold War until 1962 and then completed an MS in Astronautics. He taught aero engineering at the USAF Academy until 1966 and then entered a doctoral program at the University of Illinois. In Vietnam, he flew a combat tour before returning to the Academy as Associate Professor of Aeronautics until 1974. The next year he served as Director of the Ramjet Engine Division and Deputy Commander at Wright-Patterson AFB. Following retirement, he founded a mechanical engineering consulting company. The firm specialized in energy conservation, mostly on large federal installations in the U.S. and Germany.

A true lover of the Colorado outdoors, he enjoyed skiing, backpacking, camping, and entertaining many friends and family in what became fondly known as the Forster Guest House.

Tom experienced a renewal of his Christian faith in 1975 that really shaped his life from that point on. His love for Jesus became a positive influence in so many people's walk with God as he spoke at churches and men's groups. In the last half of his life, his faith truly defined him.

Tom is survived by his wife, Dale Deuel Forster, his three children and their spouses: Carol & Jim Edwards, Amelia & John Cooper, and Thomas & Lori Forster, as well as seven grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A celebration of life for Tom will be held Friday, May 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the COMMUNITY CHAPEL, 5134 Cathedral Drive, Ste 100, USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, CO 80840.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a charitable donation in honor of Tom J. Forster:

Wind Crest Veteran’s Group

Checks must be made out to WIND CREST and marked on the memo line for “veterans.” Funding provides practical support and honors retired service members and their spouses at Wind Crest. Address: Veterans Director Puckett, 3225 Summer Wind Ln. #2115, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129.

Highland Bible Church

Gifts can also be sent to Tom and Dale’s church for local and international Christian outreach programs.

Highland Bible Church, 800 Research Drive, Suite 150, Woodland Park, CO 80863