Dr. George W. Koster, DPM, 82, of Manchester died June 3, 2006 at Harborside Healthcare Northwood Nursing Home, Bedford after a long illness.
Born in Kenosha, WI on September 18, 1923, he was the son of Peter N. and Mary M. (Orth) Koster. He lived in Kenosha, WI many years. He moved to New Hampshire in 1962 and lived in Hollis, Candia and Manchester many years.
He earned his undergraduate degree in pre-med from Marquette University, then went on to graduate from Chicago Podiatry College in 1953.
Dr. Koster was a Podiatrist from 1954 until his retirement in 1985. He served as president of the NH Podiatry Association for three years and was a member of its board an additional four years.
He served on the board of directors for Magdalen College and was on the Oblate Advisory Board of the Oblate Retreat House in Hudson. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Christ the King Council, Nashua and served as its president in 1967.
He was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Patricia Byrnes and by a son, John W. Koster.
The family includes five children, Peter J. Koster, Patricia Connarn of Manchester, NH, Lorraine Meuse of Candia, NH, James Koster of Temple, NH and George R. Koster of Manchester, NH.
IN HIS LIFE: During World War II he was an Army Air Corps navigator in the China-Burma-India theater with the 24th Combat Mapping Squadron. He later served with the 2nd Emergency Rescue Squadron at Clark Field in the Phillipines. He left active military service at the rank of 1st Lieutenant and went on to serve as a Major in the Air Force Reserves. While with the reserves, he was the liason officer between the Air Force and the Nashua Civil Air Patrol.
His family also includes three grandchildren, Heather Koster of Bar Harbor, ME, Michael Connarn of Manchester and Peter Koster of Derry; three great grandchildren and a cousin, Rachel Lerch of New Jersey. He was also predeceased by a sister, Irene M. Koster.
He had a lifelong love of World War II aircraft and a lifelong devotion to his religion. His biggest accomplishment was raising his six children.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Wednesday June 7, 2006 in St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Rd., Manchester. Committal prayers followed in Holbrook Cemetery, Candia.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Pius X Church, 575 Candia Rd., Manchester, NH 03109