Joseph Ernest Fuhr

Joseph Ernest Fuhr

Knoxville, TN

Dr. Joseph Ernest Fuhr of Knoxville passed away peacefully on Monday August 28, 2017.

The son of Ernest M. and Marguerite A. Fuhr, Joe was born and raised in New York City. He was educated in the Jesuit tradition of academic rigor, integrity and sense of service, graduating from Xavier High School in 1954. He spoke of his high school years with great fondness and his mastery of Latin at Xavier served him well in both academia and his love of gardening later in life.

After high school Joe began to prepare for the Jesuit priesthood. Soon after the death of one of his best friends, Joe left theology and enrolled at Le Moyne College, where he graduated in 1960. Having lost both his mother and a best friend to disease by the age of 20, Joe dedicated his life to a career in medical research. After graduation Joe conducted research at Columbia University and received his Ph.D in hematology from St. John's University in Long Island.

Joe was a pioneer in the field of hematology, publishing more than 45 peer reviewed articles in international medical journals during the course of his career. Joe focused his ground-breaking research on the the study of blood-borne diseases. But he contributed to the scientific understanding of a wide range of conditions including colon cancer, ovarian cancer, sickle cell anemia, and carpal tunnel syndrome. His many decades of research, mentorship and leadership at the University of Tennessee included appointment as Assistant Dean of the University of Tennessee College of Medicine and Director of Academic Resources at what is now known as the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

Joe's passion for life came from his mother, a die-hard New York Giants baseball fan. Known as "Center Field Marge," she was a fixture in the bleachers at many home games and on a first name basis with the outfielders. While studying for his Ph.D., Joe switched his allegiance to the New York Mets and became (with two exceptions in 1969 and 1985) a long-suffering fan. A popular little league coach in West Knoxville, he shared his love of the game with his children and grandchildren.

A gifted athlete, Joe lettered in track at Xavier. Many of his fondest memories were of track meets at Madison Square Garden with his close friends and teammates. As an adult he became an avid tennis player and golfer. Throughout his life, sports were the source of many close friendships.

Joe's compassion for others came from his father, a New York City policeman who never used a gun and resolved every street fight without ever raising a baton. From his father's example, Joe learned to develop consensus and lead by compassionate example. While he may be best known for his individual contributions to science, his scientific legacy will be the scores of students that he mentored and inspired. They will continue to conduct their own research, galvanize others, and perhaps one day find the cure for cancer.

Joe also exuded passion and determination in his personal life. While moonlighting as a hospital technician as he worked towards his graduate degrees, a pretty young nurse, Erika Benz, caught his eye. It quickly became clear to everyone at the hospital that Joe did not have "official hospital business to conduct" during each and every one of Erika's shifts. He was just smitten. Joe even overcame a near relationship-ending episode where he (ever passionate) devoured 21 ears of sweet corn over dinner at Erika's family farm in Syracuse. Within 6 weeks of their first date, they were engaged.

Their first years of marriage were a whirlwind of excitement and babies. Within four years they were blessed with Ed, Cindy and Terry. After Joe completed his graduate degrees, the family moved to Knoxville, where Joe continued his medical research at the University of Tennessee. Surrounded by acreage unimaginable in New York City, Joe put his Latin to good use and became a master gardener. In addition to raising his three children, he devoted many years to teaching Christian formation classes through which he instilled his love of and devotion to Christ to an entire generation in West Knoxville.

After retiring from the University of Tennessee Medical Center, Joe channeled his energy to service of his community and those in need. As the longtime President of the West Hills Community Association he worked tirelessly to preserve the residential character of the neighborhood.

Joe was also active for many years as a volunteer for the Knoxville Ladies of Charity, which provides emergency assistance, food and clothing to the city's underserved and unemployed. Joe may be best known for the terrific food, prizes (UT footballs signed by Johnny Majors, golf clubs, cases of fine wine), and good company, that made his annual Ladies of Charity golf tournaments a complete success. The tournaments also raised well over $100,000. Less well known, but more important, was Joe's helping hand, compassionate ear, and patience at the Ladies of Charity intake center where he helped assess and address the needs of those who were struggling through difficult times.

Above all else, Joe was a devoted father and husband. He was deeply involved and spoke faith and words of encouragement to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. Joe took special pride in every accomplishment and accolade and was quick to share all the details with friends at work, on the golf course, and during his countless hours volunteering for the Ladies of Charity. Joe lived for his family.

In April, Joe and Erika celebrated 56 years of marriage. His life with Erika was, as Joe described how he was doing every day, even just moments before he passed, "Fine and Dandy; Peachy keen."

Time passes too quickly.

How did Joe's life become a legacy? Joe lived his life with the passion and commitment passed on to him as a child. By way of example he sowed new seeds of scientific curiosity, hard work, and empathy. Those seeds will grow and be spread to others through his family, friends and community.

Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Erika; his three children Ed (Joy) of Richmond, Va.; Cindy Hutson (Don) of Knoxville; Terry Rice (Fred) of Richmond, Va, his beloved grandchildren Anna, Laura and Sarah Fuhr; Mike Hutson and Kristen Wallis (Ty); Caitlin and Jack Doherty and his most precious great grandchild, Hattie Wallis.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 1, at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, followed by a rosary in the chapel. A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 2, at Sacred Heart, 711 S. Northshore Dr. Condolences may be made at www.rosemortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to Sacred Heart Cathedral (www.shcathedral.org), 711 S. Northshore Dr., Knoxville, TN 37919 or Knoxville Ladies of Charity (www.ladiesofcharity.knox.com) 120 W. Baxter Ave., Knoxville, TN 37917