Charles C. Fuller

MINNEAPOLIS -Charles (Chuck) C. Fuller, of rural Chippewa Falls (Albertville), passed away Monday, Sept. 10, 2012 at the University of Minnesota Medical Center.

Chuck was born in 1951 in Rolla, Mo., to Dale and Geraldine Fuller.

Chuck graduated from Missouri University of Science and Technology with degrees in math and chemistry. He earned his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Iowa State University and completed post-doctoral research at CNRS in Grenoble, France and the University of Texas at Austin.

In 1981 Chuck moved from Texas to Chippewa Falls for the opportunity to work at Cray Research. He intended to stay a few years. That same summer, Ruth Holliday moved from Ohio to Chippewa Falls to start her career, planning to move after gaining work experience. Instead, on March 16, 1985, Chuck and Ruth were married in Christ Episcopal Church in Chippewa Falls.

Chuck never met a furry face he didn't like. He and Ruth started their "family" with their dogs Chiot, Sobaka, Jenny, and Smedley. Nothing could have completely prepared them for parenthood, but the dogs paved the way by challenging their skills of patience and consistency. After establishing their home, Chuck and Ruth (and dogs) completed their family through the joyous additions of their son Benjamin in 1991, and daughter Rebecca in 1996. Chuck was quite vocal about the pride he had for his children and their accomplishments.

In 2002, Chuck returned to school at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire where he obtained certification to teach math, chemistry, and physics. Chuck, known as "Doc" by his students, truly loved teaching. He was a substitute teacher for Eau Claire, Barron, Menomonie, and most frequently, Chippewa Falls schools. Doc especially loved long-term substitute positions for the opportunity to get to know his students. He tried very hard to bring a real-world perspective to his teaching, and especially to reach out to those who needed extra attention.

Chuck never ended his quest for knowledge and loved sharing whatever he found while researching his interests. He was a voracious reader of technical material. In his final two years, he became very interested in researching and writing about statistics, rhetoric, alcoholism, and liver cancer.

Chuck is survived by: his wife, Ruth Holliday; and his children Ben (fiancee Courtney Briski) and Becca. Also, in Missouri: mother Geraldine; dear aunt Sharron Dake; sister Jena; and many other maternal relatives. He also had many friends in the Albertville area who were an important source of support for him, especially during the last two years of his life.

Chuck's family would like to extend thanks to the students, parents and staff of the music department of Chippewa Falls High School, Ruth's co-workers and supervisors, the ICU nurses at the U of M, and family members who have greatly eased the burden of Chuck's illness and death.

A memorial service to celebrate Chuck's life will be held Sunday, Sept. 23 at 3 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls. To express condolences online, please visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/chuckfuller. If desired, donations may be made to CaringBridge or to the Chippewa or Eau Claire County Humane Associations.