John Perry Forster, Age 84, of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, died April 11, 2026. John Perry Forster was born to Jack Gerald and Margaret Ruth (Logan) Forster in Regina, Saskatchewan, on May 21, 1941. Perry, as everyone knew him, grew up in Regina and moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba, where he graduated from Kelvin High School. He studied psychology and political science at United College of Manitoba, then moved to Minneapolis in 1962 for graduate school. During his time studying psychology at the University of Minnesota, he got set up on a blind date with Lynne Maher. They married in 1964 and recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary.

Perry started his career at General Mills helping develop products like Betty Crocker frosting and Golden Grahams cereal. He moved to Carmichael Lynch as senior vice president for research and strategy development, leading research for such brands as Harley-Davidson, McDonald’s, Winnebago and WCCO. He won a Bush Fellowship in 1981, which he used to attend the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford University. Later in his career, he headed the London, UK, office of MarketTools.

Perry served on the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District board for 20 years, including many as its president. 

Perry loved all sports — but hockey was No. 1. He was a lifelong fan of the Regina Pats and later the Minnesota Wild, and he enjoyed watching his grandchildren carry on his love for the game. He was a coach for EP hockey and soccer and volunteered at the Ryder Cup and KPMG tournaments at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Perry is survived by his wife, Lynne; children Sean (Molly Schirmer) and Stacy (Colin Benedict); grandchildren Taylor and Tori, and Owen and Carys; sister in law Laurel Anderson and nephew Jonas; and cousins from the Logan side of his family. 

We will celebrate Perry’s life at the Riley-Jacques Barn at 9180 Riley Lake Rd. in Eden Prairie on Sunday, May 31, from 4-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to the donor’s favorite charity or to the Freshwater Society in honor of Perry’s dedication to protecting the area’s waters. Donate online at freshwater.org/donate/ or by mail to Freshwater Society, 2550 University Ave. W., Suite 212N, Saint Paul, MN 55114‑1052.