Edwin Rudolph Fuller Jr.

1943 - 2025

Edwin Rudolph Fuller, Jr.

December 16, 1943 - August 1, 2025

Chapel Hill, North Carolina - Edwin Rudolph Fuller, Jr., was the son of Elaine and Edwin R. Fuller. He was born on December 16, 1943 in Albemarle, NC, and subsequently moved to Salisbury, NC. He married Barbara Parker in 1965, and they immediately left for Champaign, Illinois where he entered graduate school. He and Barbara moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland, and then Chapel Hill, NC.

Ed always loved science - especially math and physics - and was encouraged to pursue a career in physics as a result of Russia's 1957 launch of Sputnik in Earth's orbit. (In high school, Ed was known to be very smart, and if he missed a question on an algebra exam, the teacher subsequently eliminated that question from the exam, saying "if it was too hard for Eddie, it was too hard for the rest of the class.").

Ed was a proud member of the Boy Scouts, and ultimately achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He still had the map he drew on a required 10-mile hike indicating every minute detail including an encounter with a "3 foot copperhead," a rabbit, and a cow pasture.

Ed graduated from the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) with a degree in physics. While at UNC, Ed was a member of the UNC Wrestling Team, and was awarded The Order of the Grail for the highest scholastic average among seniors in athletics. Ed was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa during his junior year at UNC. After UNC, Ed continued his education at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, and received his PhD in solid state physics from the University of Illinois.

He worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) in Gaithersburg, MD, and retired from NIST in 2008. While at NIST, he specialized in research of ceramic materials including geothermal cements, Skylab windows, reliability of decorative marble panels, thermal barrier coatings for aircraft engine blades, and power generation turbines. As part of his research into ceramic materials, he was asked to visit many places in the United States, and countries around the world - always exploring the local cultural opportunities as well as the science. The German Humboldt Foundation selected him as a Humboldt Fellow, and he spent a year collaborating with scientists in universities in Dresden and Darmstadt. He received the Department of Commerce Silver Medal Award.

Ed was very active in the American Ceramics Association (AcERS) serving in multiple capacities including President of AcERS. He was named Distinguished Member of AcERS in recognition of all he had done for AcERS including the promotion of scientific research in ceramic materials, and the promotion of those just entering the field.

Ed loved the game of bridge, and enjoyed the wonderful people he met through bridge. He served as President of the Brightleaf Unit, and was named to the Unit 191 Hall of Fame. The covid restrictions had at least one benefit in that on-line bridge games allowed him to continue to play with friends throughout the country and internationally.

He was an active member of University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill. He taught his beloved Faith Meets Life Sunday School Class, and served as a Stephen Minister. During Ed's Illness, the members of the Faith Meets Life Sunday School Class, his fellow Stephen Ministers, and church clergy exemplified love.

After retirement, Ed and Barbara returned to NC to be near their only child, Edwin R. Fuller, III (Eddie), his wife Jennifer Winston, and their grandsons, Henry and Jack.

Ed leaves his wife, Barbara, and his son's family, his sister, Terry Fuller of Pittsboro, and his brothers Steve Fuller (Nancy) and Mike Fuller (Julie) of Salisbury, NC.

A special note of thanks to the many angels at UNC Healthcare including Dr. Daniel Richardson, Sean Gallagher, and the Oncology Infusion Team. In addition, we are grateful for the kindness and support from those unsung heroes who eased his many comings and goings at the hospital.

Please consider donating platelets. Platelet infusions kept Ed going for many months. Contact the UNC Blood Donation Center at 984-974-8290 for information.

Memorial contributions in Ed's name can be made to the University United Methodist Church, 150 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, or to the American Ceramic Society, secure.qgiv.com/for/acers/ 470 Olde Worthington Road, Suite 200, Westerville, Ohio 43082.