February 3, 1950 – May 1, 2026
John Thomas Foss passed away on May 1, 2026, leaving a legacy of attentive health care, craftmanship and community in music. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Ann Foss, and by his parents, John (Jack) Frederick Foss and Beatrice Hannah Louise Hoehne Foss.
He is survived by his children, Ehren Foss and Kate Foss and their mother, Lee O'Daniel, and by Nancy's children, Ross Reige and Sarah Kurtz. He is survived by two grandchildren, Jack Foss and Juniper Foss. His siblings, Gretchen Foss Thomas, Stephen Foss and Ann Foss Rettenmaier also survive him.
John was born on February 3, 1950, in Iowa City, Iowa and spent his childhood in Burlington, Iowa. Among the things he enjoyed while growing up were family camping trips, competitive athletics and his Ford Model A.
There was music in John's life from the very start. His mother sang her children to sleep with Brahm's Lullaby and led the family in singing rounds on car trips. Throughout his elementary, high school, and college years, John sang in small ensemble groups, including The CU Buffoons.
John earned a BA degree in 1972 from the University of Colorado. He learned of his acceptance into medical school while in the San Juan mountains on a wildflower research project. He earned his MD degree in 1976 from the University of Iowa. His further medical training took him across Idaho, Seattle, Alaska, and Utah. He completed a residency in Internal Medicine in 1980 at the University of Washington and a fellowship in Gastroenterology in 1986 at the University of Utah. This led to his career as a gastroenterologist. He practiced medicine in Wisconsin, in the Milwaukee, Eau Claire and Madison areas, from 1988 to 2015. He was known for his dedication to patients and steady, thoughtful care.
Outside of medicine, John was an accomplished woodworker. He crafted furniture and built a cedar strip canoe by hand, continuing a tradition inherited from his father. He was an avid golfer for over 30 years and found joy in traveling. In recent years he visited Scotland, Ireland and spent time in Florida. He enjoyed outdoor activities, including backcountry skiing, rock climbing and hiking, as well as family canoe trips and reunions in Colorado.
Music was a constant and sustaining force in John's life. A lifelong singer as soloist and choir member, he was an active voice in and an avid supporter of the Master Singers of Milwaukee. He was also a member of the choir at Holy Cross Lutheran church in Menomonee Falls, WI. His bass-baritone voice was a cherished part of the communities he helped build through song.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to the Master Singers of Milwaukee (https://mastersingersofmilwaukee.org/donate)