Obituary of 2d Lt Cailin Renee Foster, USAF

2Lt Cailin Renee Foster, USAF, age 22, from Monument Colorado, died unexpectedly on 7 November 2021 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Cailin was born on 12 May 1999 at Wright-Patterson to the parents of Dr. Gary W. Foster, Lt Col, USAF (Ret.) and Colleen G. (Byall) Foster. Lovingly referred by her parents as "Sunshine," Cailin attended Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) in Monument, Colorado graduating in 2017 in the top 7% of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. Cailin served as the PRHS Robotics Team Captain guiding the team to multiple regional championships. She also cheered on her school as a JV Cheerleader Team Captain. Earning her Girl Scout's Gold Award, she was also a member of Student Council attending Girls State, HOBY World Leadership Congress, Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders, and Space Camp. Finally, Cailin excelled on the tennis courts as a three-time state qualifier placing second in her senior year and being voted the most valuable player on the team.Being an Air Force dependent, Cailin lived in many places to include Dayton, Ohio; Warsaw, Poland; Huntsville, Alabama; and Monument, Colorado. While in Poland, Cailin became passionate about traveling, visiting over 30 different countries and eventually visiting every continent except Antarctica. Poland, was however, the place where she was the happiest. Often joking to her best friend that after serving their five years in the Air Force, they should buy a place and live there.Cailin is a 2021 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). She is only one of three females to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering this year. Cailin and her team have a patent pending for a research project the team developed and presented to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Even more amazing, Cailin also earned a minor in French while also serving as the USAFA Women's Team Tennis Manager. Upon commissioning, Cailin was stationed at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson AFB as a Mechanical Engineer. As a motivated young officer, Cailin immediately enrolled at the University of Dayton's MBA Cyber program completing two courses before her untimely death. In addition to being a Flyer, Cailin was also a huge Ohio State Buckeye fan like her Dad (a graduate), and Mom's entire side of the family. She was also only one of six USAFA cadets to be accepted into and was actively participating in the Air Force's Language Enabled Airman Program (LEAP) for French. Survivors include Cailin's parents; her sister, USAFA Cadet Ashlyn S. Foster; and beloved doggie, Khione; grandparents, Major Thomas C. Byall, USMC (Ret.) and Lana (Leppert) Byall of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Gary and Linda (Gottschalk) Foster of Camanche, Iowa; great-grandparent, Victoria Schuler also of Camanche, Iowa; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, classmates, and friends. The family would like to acknowledge the University of Dayton (U of D) and the working level support received from USAF personnel. With their hard work Cailin's memory will live on and shine through. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to either the U of D at https://givenow.udayton.edu. (Select designate other and write-in Military and Veteran Programs and Services (MVPS)) or the Cadet Rando fund designed to support cadet humanitarian efforts at https://giving.usafa.org/give/rando in Cailin's honor.Throughout Cailin's content packed life, she enjoyed playing board and card games (typically always winning!). She was a gifted writer, public speaker, and loved watching movies and television shows, narwhals, unicorns, and hugging her favorite stuffed teddy bear "Tubby". Mostly, however, she enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. Viewing, 6:00PM-8:00PM, Tuesday, November 30, 2021, The Springs Funeral Services - North Chapel, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923.Funeral Service, Full Military Honors, 12:00PM, December 1, 2021, United Stated Air Force Academy Cemetery, Colorado (Enter through North Gate)Celebration of Life, 7:00PM-9:00PM, December 1, 2021, Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument, Colorado 80132. Cailin Renee, we love you back � for all eternity! You truly and always will be "Our Little Sunshine!" You make us all happy even when skies are grey! Events Viewing Tuesday, November 30, 2021 6:00PM - 8:00PM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611 Graveside Wednesday, December 1, 2021 12:00PM United States Air Force Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, CO Phone: 719-328-179 Celebration of Life Wednesday, December 1, 2021 7:00PM - 9:00PM Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church 20256 Hunting Downs Way Monument, CO 80132 Phone: 719-488-1365 Final Resting Place United States Air Force Academy Cemetery Colorado Springs, CO