When Santa Bob walks into a room, he shakes his belt covered in sleigh bells and fills the space with a loud laughter. Bob Foster, as he’s known when he’s not wearing the red suit, will pose for hundreds of photos with local kids this year as the Santa at Salem’s Riverfront Carousel. The role comes easy to him, he said, and takes little work. He sports an authentic beard that distinguishes him from young mall Santas who rely on fake hair to do the job. “It’s like flipping a switch,” he said, when asked how he creates that special twinkle in his eye.  Since late November, Foster has spent hours talking with kids about their wish lists and how difficult pets are to care for. He also reassures parents who worry about their children’s long lists of presents they want from Santa.  This is his third year at the Riverfront Carousel, but has been Santa for almost 20 years. His job as Santa is bringing people joy and giving them memories, he said.  With the world being a difficult place for many people, Foster said he’s encouraging people to make their wish lists as long as they want to. He said he tells kids not to worry about the number of presents they ask for, and that he and his elves will figure out which ones to make.  “‘Reach for the stars and if you hit the moon, you’re gonna be happy,’” he tells kids.  Foster has two degrees in “SantaClausology” from the International University of Santa Claus, one bachelor’s and one master’s. The university is a program that travels around the U.S. and teaches workshops on how to be Santa, including how to interact with children or talk with non-believers. Foster first became Santa around 20 years ago, when he worked as a bus driver for TriMet, the Portland area’s transit system.  He and his coworkers provided Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals for a low-income family that rode the TriMet system often. One Christmas season, when Foster had a full beard, which was not yet white, a coworker suggested he dress up as Santa to deliver food and presents to the family.  As he got older, his beard went white and he “got a little heavy,” he said. Becoming Santa was an obvious choice to make.  “Once the season hits, I’m there. I’m Santa,” he said. “It’s something that’s part of me now.” For around 13 years, Foster was Santa in North Plains, a small town west of Portland. One of his standout memories as Santa happened in North Plains when a man proposed to his girlfriend while meeting with Foster.  While he met with the couple before the proposal, they each sat on one of his knees.  “There’s no one who’s too old or too heavy to sit on my knee.” Foster said. He said that each of his knees can hold 400 pounds.  He has also been Santa for Loch Lolly Christmas Forest in Washington County and a Realtor group when he worked in the Portland area.  People interested in visiting and taking pictures with Foster as Santa Bob can check Facebook for walk-in times.  Foster is also part of Santa’s Pack, a group of Santas in the Portland and Vancouver, Washington area who are available for hire. Contact reporter Madeleine Moore: [email protected]. A MOMENT MORE, PLEASE– If you found this story useful, consider subscribing to Salem Reporter if you don’t already. Work such as this, done by local professionals, depends on community support from subscribers. Please take a moment and sign up now – easy and secure: SUBSCRIBE. The post Santa Bob brings joy in third year at Riverfront Carousel appeared first on Salem Reporter.