Dean Foster, known as the late Reese Haggott’s right-hand man, who helped launch the Alpine car audio brand in the 1980s, died Sunday at the age of 68.
Together Haggott and Foster helped build the car stereo industry up from a cottage industry of lowfi products to a thriving hifi business.
Foster was well loved and was instrumental in creating industry policies designed to help retailers. Foster came out of the retail sector, working for CMC in St Louis and later opening his own store.
Long time Alpine rep Cecil Suite of CMA, “He was just a good guy. He was a great guy and I loved him dearly. He and Reese made a great team.”
“Reese had the vision and Dean knew how to carry it out because he understood retail,” said Rich Rukavina who was an Alpine rep when Foster was national sales manager.
Although Haggott had the reputation of a hard-living cowboy, Foster wasn’t far behind.
One industry member described attending an early morning meeting with Alpine at a hotel suite during the Consumer Electronics Show in the early 1980s for a job interview. It was about 7 or 8 am. “Dean and Reese interviewed me in their pajamas and they were still drinking from the night before. “
Foster returned to retail briefly only to return again to Alpine. He went to work for Infinity in the mid 90’s where he was VP marketing & sales for car audio. He later became a rep for Clarion.
“Dean had incredible leadership talent. This was clearly evident in his mentoring of new staff… Dean was a true professional and Clarion was richer for having Dean as part of our team,” said Frank Pierce of Clarion.
Glen Ihrke, former VP Sales for Alpine added, “Over the years I knew Dean as a boss at Alpine, a customer when he opened his own retail operation in St. Louis and even as a competitor when he worked for Harman, but mostly I knew him as a friend. Dean’s tremendous love of life and his country charm, made him so much fun to be with. He will be missed.”
Foster is survived by his wife Judy and children Dana, Susan, David and step-child Shawn.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or Riverways Hospice in West Plains, MO.
A funeral service will be held, Saturday, September 17. For information click here.
Source: CEoutlook
Dean Foster was a terrific person to work with and I am glad that I had the oppertuinity to do so. He will be missed by all and may he rest in peace.
There are a few fine individuals who defined what the car audio industry is today. If there was a Mount Rushmore for Car Audio certainly Dean and Reese would be represented in honor on such a monument as being some of the early founders in this industry.
As a young pup in the business they provided me with the vision, leadership, and 12V excitment of what could be. Most importantly, how to get there…with plenty of fun along the way.
I am sure both of them are together now watching over us…laughing about old stories of Alpine Dealer Conferences.
Thanks Dean….for all of your direction. You will be missed.
Dan Jeancola
Sound Advice
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Dean Foster was an absolute pro and a true gentleman. Everything we know in this industry was laid by Dean, Reese, Dan Peterson & Bill Cowdrey in the early days.
Rest in peace Dean, you will be missed.
Dean was an all around great guy, fun to work with and just hang out with. I havent seen in in a few years, but I will miss him.
Calvin Cooper
River City Sales Inc.
St. Louis, Mo.
Dean was a great guy. He was an excellent manager and had a management style to get things done in a positive way. He will be surely be missed.
I haven’t seen Dean since my old Alpine / Luxman days ended in March of 1989. I am greived by his passing.
“Rest in Peace my friend”
Mark D. Granby
Posted by: Mark Granby – Van Nuys, CA – Worked with Dean on Luxman Sep 14, 2011
I enjoyed working with Dean. A great individual and a lot of fun. He will be surely missed