Remembering Vicki Pettit Foss, 1942-2007

Vicki Pettit Foss, 1942-2007

Vicki Pettit Foss, loving wife, sister, friend and grandmother, died May 4, 2007.  Survivors include her husband, Larry Foss; daughter, Ashley Ritchie of Wichita; son, Brock Foss of Wichita; grandsons, Mason McDonald and Taylor McDonald, both of Wichita; and brothers, Todd Pettit of Kansas City and Mike Pettit of Irvine, CA.  Memorial services will be held Monday May 7, 2007, 10:30 AM at Lakeview Funeral Home Chapel.  

Vicki  graduated from Wichita East in 1960 and attended Wichita State University.  An avid golfer, Vicki out-finessed a field of seasoned competitors to win the Wichita City women’s Golf Champion at the age of 14.  She shot a 69 during the opening round at Sim Park and in the semi-finals she shot a 32 on the front nine, a score that held for 20 years.

Two years after that incredible win she won the long ball contest at Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, CO with a drive of 265 yards.  Vicki attended Wichita State University and considered Crestview Country club golf course her home turf. 

In 1961 she married Larry Foss, a professional baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the 1962 New York Mets.  The raised two children and were married 46 years. Vicki was a longtime office manager for the orthopedic practice of Poole & Pollock.  Her love for golf never diminished. In 1971, she won the Kansas Women’s Golf Amateur Championship.

Considered a great ambassador of the game, in 2007, following her death, the Vicki Pettit Foss Memorial Scholarship in Women’s Golf was established at WSU.  This scholarship will continue her lifelong love of the game by inspiring young women to further education and pursue their own dreams of golf.

Contributions may be made to WSU foundation c/o Vicki Pettit Foss Women’s Golf Fund, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita KS 67260.  Online condolences, visit: www.mylakeviewfuneralhome.com.

Sources: Wichita Eagle Obituary and WSU Alumni Association

Glenna Stearman Park Vicki’s warmth and humor endeared her to so many of us.  She embraced people and life with an uncommon grace and enthusiasm.  Vicki brought us joy and we remember this kindness as we give sympathy to you and your family in her untimely passing.  December 12, 2008 (Lakeview Condolence Book)

Jane Thompson Elder Olson Vicki was in my 6th grade class at Fairmont School.  I remember how pretty she was; dark eyes and short black hair and so out going.  She and I were the best “spellers” in our class and were often competing against each other. Vicki was an excellent athlete.  She ran very fast and just was good at all recess games.  She lived in a very cool modern-type house across from Fairmont Park.  I was pretty much in awe of her. At Mathewson Intermediate she was popular.  I was envious of all the iron-on green stripes she received in gym class. (Stripes were earned by excellent performance in the activities we did.) We had white Mathewson sweatshirts and the stripes were ironed up and down the sleeves.

I recall being at her wedding with many sorority sisters from WSU.  At the reception we sang the Delta Gamma traditional song and many were crying.  Vicki came over to us and told us not to be sad because she was very happy to be marrying Larry!

Vicki was so kind and lots of fun.

Editor’s Note: Below left, Vicki and Calvin Ross were selected by 1700 yearbook subscribers as Lord and Lady Echo. The royal honor came with a chauffered 1960 Chrysler New Yorker for the evening driven by Gene Carter, a sizzling steak dinner, and tickets to a premier performance of “On the Beach” at the  Miller Theater. Below right, Cheerleaders had to stay engrossed in the games so they could lead appropriate cheers; Vicki also kept track of and encouraged two cheerleaders’ mascots, who clearly doted on her. A natural leader, Vicki served as president of the Spanish Club, Cheerleader, and in informal leadership roles.