Neil Foster
(Aurora, Illinois: 21st October 1920 - 11th March 1988)
Inspired at age 9 seeing Blackstone show. Protégé of local pro, William F. Becker. In Chavez College as student and then teacher 1947-51. Full-time pro 1951-59. With Ireland's around 1958. With Abbott's 1959-79, including as editor of The New Tops 1961-79. 1977 AMA Performing Fellowship. Partner (with Dale Salwak) of Chavez School from until his death in 1979 when Chris Jakway assumed Foster's place.
Author and book editor, including Tops Treasury of Illusions (1965, 100pp). Biographer is Dota Brown, Neil Foster (1988, 48pp).