Those who knew, worked with, and learned from Martin Fuller feel a loss at news of his death. Through this blog, perhaps alumni, faculty, and friends can share their thoughts and remembrances. It is fitting to begin with words from Martin himself. Several years ago Martin Fuller gave a presentation in a program Austin College had called the Last Lecture Series, what perhaps the individual might say in a final lecture, though the presentation might have come in the midst of the professor’s career. In that lecture, he read something he had written in his journal: “It is so important really to be aware of places, people, animals, plants, rocks, each detail of our surroundings at each moment. Yet how often and how much we take it all for granted. We will never see all of the world, never experience all its wonders. Therefore how very necessary to see and to experience the wonders into whose presence we are fortunate enough to come.” He went on to say, “If we do, if we cultivate that intimacy with the natural order of things, we may come to look upon death not as an enemy to be feared or conquered, but as part of the natural order of our lives, as the natural end to a natural being. Death is but the final affirmation of life.” A life well lived … A being of nature that shall be missed.
— Vickie Kirby, Austin College Sr. Director of Editorial Communication
Martin shared the following words with me in a letter shortly after I completed the Austin Teacher Program. He had convinced me during my sophomore year that science probably wasn't the best career choice for me, but then stuck by me as I floundered through various degree plans over the next few semesters. He also gently nudged me in the direction of education and continued to be a sounding board for my thoughts throughout my time at Austin College. In all of my dealings with Martin Fuller I always believed that he had my best interests at heart. I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteHere were his words to a young teacher:
“Carved into the stone of the Smithsonian Museum of History and Technology are these words of the American physicist Joseph Henry:
‘…knowledge should not be viewed in isolated parts, but as a whole, each portion of which throws light on all the others;…the tendency of all is to improve the human mind and give it new sources of power and enjoyment. Narrow minds think nothing of importance but their own favorite pursuit, but liberal views exclude no branch of science or literature, for they all contribute to sweeten, to adorn, and to embellish life.’”
“Health (in people) has something to do with living up to our physical, mental, intellectual, moral, and spiritual potential. Healthy people help to make healthy societies, and to produce good cultures…. Thus each person is to be valued, nurtured, and enjoyed not only for his or her own sake, but for the sake of all people in their lives together. In this is the teacher’s task and privilege toward students…..to love and cherish each one of them……”
-Martin Fuller
Tom Garrison '96
In his own words:
ReplyDelete“Life is too full to be lived in the time allowed.”
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When You are Old -- Yeats
When you are old and gray and full of sleep
And nodding by the fire, take down this book,
And slowly read, and dream of the soft look
Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep;
How many loved your moments of glad grace,
And loved your beauty with love false or true;
But one man loved the pilgrim soul in you,
And loved the sorrows of your changing face.
And bending down beside the glowing bars,
Murmur, a little sadly, how love fled
And paced upon the mountains overhead,
And hid his face amid a crowd of stars.
"Love each other now, in the springtime of your lives, while there is yet time.”
[April 27, 1999, online Columbine memorial]
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Numerous scientific theories are still being tested and refined by applying them and seeing how they hold up under any newly discovered evidence. Theories are not facts. Theories are attempts to understand and explain, in a consistent and coherent way, what happens. The theory of evolution bears the same relation to the fossil record of life on earth as the theory of gravity does to jumping off a roof. If you have what you think is a better theory, feel free to submit it to the tests of observation and experiment. Just be sure your theory is testable.
[Aug 28, 2005, in a letter to TIME magazine regarding "Intelligent Design"]
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I will dearly miss Dr. Fuller, a man I could never call by his first name due to sheer deference, and I will always keep a picture of the two of us at my graduation next to a picture of me at age 6 with my other chemistry related hero: Spider-man.
--Tony Belcher, '96
He was a great professor, if only because he was one of the rare ones that even loved Omega Phi Omega.
ReplyDelete-Doc
Martin was a wonderful man and teacher. The number of lives he touched and helped shape over his lifetime are a testament to his character. I feel very fortunate to have had him as a professor and mentor during my years at AC. I will miss him!
ReplyDeleteMartin Fuller was the professor who most influenced me at Austin College, and encouraged me through some difficult years at graduate school. He truly left the world better than he found it. I absolutely enjoyed every class I took from him, even P Chem. I will miss him.
ReplyDeleteMartha Gilchrist '93
I'm not at all a science person, so I never had a full class with Martin, but he gave several lectures during Heritage 44, which were among the few that I actually enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteMartin's presence clearly stayed with me because during my senior year I had a recurring dream where I had signed up for a class with him, but had never gone. Then in the last weeks of school I realized I was enrolled in the class and needed it to graduate. I had to go to his office and beg him to let me pass. I always woke up (in a panic) right as he was saying no.
After my real graduation I worked as an admissions counselor for AC and got to know Martin well enough to tell him my dream. He laughed and laughed. He also assured me that he'd have worked with me, so I could've graduated.
I still have that same dream when I'm under a lot of stress, but now when I wake up I remember Martin would have helped me fix it.
He was a pleasure to work with and I will miss him.
Martin was a man with so many gifts of mind and heart that a different one occurs to me each time I think of him. The memory that has been strongest for me recently is an approaching storm I shared with him. We were both leaving campus late one night and happened to meet outside Abell Library just as the storm began, with one of the most astonishing lightning displays I have ever seen. Martin and I both knew it was beyond stupid to stand around outside in an electrical storm, but the display felt like a gift that it would be even more stupid to refuse. We must have stood there for at least a half hour, saying little. Then we went our separate ways home. The dangerous beauty of the lightning was indeed a gift, but the more profound gift, for me, was how much my joy in it was intensified by Martin's constant mindfulness of the brevity and beauty of life itself, and his attentiveness to all its contradictory, sorrowful, joyous, magnificent, apparently trivial, mundane, transcendent manifestations. Martin had, truly, "an eye made quiet by the power of harmony, and the deep power of joy," enabling him to "see into the life of things" and to help others see in that way too. Knowing him was a treasure that I will cherish for the rest of my life.
ReplyDeleteWell Done, Dr. Fuller. Well Done.
ReplyDeleteYour influence will continue to reach others exponentially as those whom you have taught, teach others.
Carey McClain '88
I was saddened to learn of Martin's death. I extend my sypathy to Ann and their children. I guess I thought Martin would go on forever. I always enjoyed talking with him. He was a gentle soul but also passionate. Martin's intellectual curiosity was limitless. I was amazed by his breadth of knowledge, which he never flaunted. Most of all, Martin was an unfailingly positive and giving person. He will be deeply missed.
ReplyDeleteTom Baker
Martin was my mentor when I came in as a freshman in 1985. He was a beautiful person and I consider myself fortunate to have known him. I shall always remember the twinkle in his eye.
ReplyDeleteEmily Herbruck Erington '89
I never had a class with Dr. Fuller or even for that matter had an in-depth conversation with him, but I knew one thing - he was always thought of very highly as both a professor and a person. These are things which are difficult to achieve in life, which he possessed. The ability to touch and help others is the greatest gift of all.
ReplyDeleteScott Davenport
Martin Fuller was my chem prof at Pomona College in 1958-9. He made it all sound so easy! He had moxie, too: when the kids were making too much jukebox noise one night at the student union soda fountain, Martin strode in brandishing an axe, chopped the jukebox power cord in two with a single stroke, and strode out again without a word.
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