Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
October 23, 2018 9:32 a.m.
On Monday, October 22, 2018, the Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation (AIFRF) feted retiring Circuit Court Judge Robert Foster in recognition of his commitment to local history and historic preservation at an intimate private luncheon at Café Karibo. Joining the Restoration Foundation in celebrating Judge Foster’s achievements were historic preservation activists past and present as well as representatives of city and county government, law enforcement and the Amelia Island Museum of History.
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n introducing Judge Foster AIFRF President Adam Kaufman cited Foster’s many contributions to the community as well as his judicial accomplishments. Foster has served on the Board of Directors of Jacksonville Legal Aid, the Multi Agency Juvenile Justice Committee, the Jacksonville Mayor’s Victim Assistance Advisory Council and the management team for the Jacksonville Community Council’s Young Black Males Study. But he still made time to coach youth soccer and baseball in addition to mentoring dozens of Nassau County’s youth who faced criminal charges.
In 1994 Foster was appointed Administrative Judge in Nassau County where he helped establish the county’s Mental Health Court and Veteran’s Court.
But what many people may not know is how Judge Foster’s keen interest in local history led him to play important roles in restoring the 1892 historic Nassau County Courthouse on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, FL. According to Kaufman, Foster’s love for and stewardship of that courthouse has been an open secret.
For years Judge Foster has been collecting memorabilia and artifacts related to the courthouse’s past, many of which are displayed at the historic courthouse and also at the new courthouse in Yulee, which was named the Robert M. Foster Judicial Center in 2014. Replacing the “courthouse fountain” on Centre Street recently was also accomplished through his efforts.
Fernandina Beach Vice Mayor Len Kreger delivered a Proclamation declaring October 22, 2018 “Judge Robert M. Foster Appreciation Day” in recognition of Foster’s contributions to historic preservation and local history ion the City of Fernandina Beach.
In accepting both the city Proclamation and the Restoration Foundation plaque, Foster expressed his gratitude to all for not only the recognition, but also for their continuing efforts to promote and preserve local history.
Judge Foster will retire from the bench at the end of the year.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
Thank you Judge Foster for your hard work and dedication to the difficult task of working with the mentally ill over the many years you have served on the bench. You wisdom and and decisions have always sided in my view on the safety of the person and the community and I commend you for your approach. You have been detailed, interested and not in any way complacent or casual in how you have discharged your duties. I am grateful for your good work and wish you the very best.