Gone Without a Trace
Alan Foster was a man who disappeared in the Alaska Triangle with his newly purchased private plane, leaving behind a legacy defined by his character. He was best known for his unwavering devotion to his family, consistently good-natured personality, and lifelong passion for aviation.
Foster was deeply devoted to his family and continuously looked forward to spending time with his children. After marrying Susan Verrelman in 1994, they had two daughters, Nikita and Katelyn, and one son, Erich. He prioritized instilling his own passions in his children, including hunting, fishing, and skiing. His daughter Nikita Foster later wrote in a college essay, “I could hear the excitement in his voice that he was finally going to fly back to see us. September 8th, 2013, was the last day I spoke to my dad." (Foster 1). He also spent much of his time with his older brother Bobby, sharing many of their hobbies. This commitment to passing down his skills demonstrates that his family was the central priority of his life.
His intellectual drive and likability were evident from a young age, setting the foundation for his future success. Graduating as valedictorian in his high school class, blowing competition out of the water, as his classmates would say. One friend reported that no one could catch up to his GPA (Cunningham 1). He brought pride to his family by bringing home lower-cost produce for the community. His online obituary features many memories and condolences, one being Arlene Charles, a friend, who wrote:
“Such a caring young handsome man- I can still picture the rush to the airport when he went up with a plane filled with fresh fruit, veggies, and clothing that we can buy at a much lower cost. Was quite the excitement for everyone esp. the young children. Also, the pride in his uncle’s voice and faces, especially his Uncle Billy. Will be thinking of you all during the memorial service. God's Blessings” (Charles 1).This selfless act of flying in affordable supplies proves that Foster used his skills not for personal gain, but to improve the lives of those around him. His popularity was not just a result of his personality, but a reflection of his consistent desire to serve his community.
According to Mondor, “in its investigation, the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) determined that Foster had more than 9700 flight hours in a variety of aircraft " (Mondor 1). For experience-based insight, according to aviation standards. Pilot ranking is based on hours of flight time. He had just a few hundred hours left before being ranked at the very top as chief captain. Earning his private pilot’s license at sixteen and his commercial pilot’s license at nineteen, then going on to pursue aeronautical engineering at Stanford University and obtaining his airframe and powerplant mechanic certification through Northrop Aviation, he made a lifelong career of flying (“Alan Foster Obituary (1965 - 2013) - Anchorage Daily News”). As an Alaskan native, he was very familiar with the terrain and unpredictable flying conditions. That fateful day, he had contacted the Juneau flight service for a weather update prior to takeoff after refueling one last time in Yakutat, stating he would stop in the town of Cordova, about two hundred miles away, if conditions required it (Mondor 2). Between the Gulf of Alaska and Malaspina Glacier, radar data showed a target near 1,100 feet with the aircraft's general transponder code, just eighteen minutes after contact with the flight service. He and his aircraft would never be seen again. (Mondor 3).
In summary, Alan Foster was a man of exceptional character whose life reflected dedication and kindness. From early academic achievements as a valedictorian to his professional mastery of the skies and his generous spirit toward his community, he was defined by his actions rather than his disappearance. By examining his commitment to his family and his career, it becomes clear that Foster’s true legacy lies in the positive impact he had on everyone who knew him.