Whatever Happened To Earle Foster From Season 1 Of Gold Rush?
Earle Foster was a gemologist and miner in his own right, but many people chiefly remember him as the owner of a claim on Porcupine Creek featured on the Discovery Channel reality series "Gold Rush." Nevertheless, he makes some questionable, even unethical, business decisions in his dealings with the Hoffmans and "Dakota" Fred Hurt during Season 2.
Todd Hoffman and his crew had already leased Foster's land for gold mining when, disappointed by their findings, the Porcupine Creek owner sold the lease to Hurt behind their backs. Foster may not have had the highest opinion of Hoffman, but he doesn't even tell him that the crew's lease is finished, leaving Hurt to break the news.
This seems like unprofessional, rude behavior from any angle, and it created a great deal of drama among the cast members. However, Foster died in 2013 a few years after "Gold Rush" premiered on Discovery Channel.
Earle Foster died in 2013 of heart complications
According to the Anchorage Daily News, Earle Foster passed away on April 23, 2013, due to cardiac amyloidosis at the age of 86. He appeared on a couple of episodes of "Gold Rush" prior to his death, giving him some brief notoriety after a lifetime away from the spotlight. His obituary notes, "He always got a big kick out of a stranger recognizing him and saying hello" because of the show.
Prior to the series, Foster was a World War II veteran who had been stationed in the Philippines. The miner also worked for many years as part of the FAA, erecting radio communication towers.
Despite selling the Porcupine Creek claim to "Dakota" Fred Hurt, Foster still owned several mines across the United States before his death. Of course, he and Hurt didn't behave too admirably in their business dealings with the Hoffmans, but Foster does seem like an accomplished, exceptional person, even if "Gold Rush" isn't the most flattering portrayal of the man.