Richard D. Fuller, 86

Richard Duane Fuller, age 86, formerly of Chicago, IL, passed away on October 13, 2020 at Gundersen St. Elizabeth’s Care Center in Wabasha, Minnesota in the presence of his family.
Richard was born in Madison, WI on March 30, 1934 to Vere Leslie Harrick (Tom) Fuller and Margaret (Leberg) Fuller. He graduated from Madison Central High School as Senior Class President in 1952, and from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, in 1956 with a B.S. in Liberal Arts and Far Eastern Studies.
After completing an ROTC program, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1957, and was sent to Japan to serve in Military Intelligence as a U.S. Marine Corps Military Intelligence Officer. During his seven years in Japan, he also worked in a civilian capacity for a United States intelligence agency.
After his military service, Richard began a career in Banking in Louisville, Kentucky and later at Continental Bank in Chicago. In 1968 he moved to the Mortgage Insurance Industry as a regional Sales Director for CMI Investment Corp (Madison), and Vice President at Liberty Mortgage Insurance Co., and progressed to the position of Executive Vice-President for Ticor Mortgage Insurance (LA) and President and CEO of Mid Atlantic Mortgage Insurance (DC/MD).
In his later entrepreneurial years, he developed, patented and marketed a new tool for selling used vehicles (Autocloser). An early adopter of internet technology, he trained and mentored others (OWL Marketing). Retiring in Wabasha, Minnesota in 2003, he opened Wind Whisper West Art Gallery, featuring Japanese textiles and specializing in Wedding Kimono Fashion Art.
On May 16, 1970, he married Janith L. Passe, formerly of Rochester, Minnesota at Holy Name Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois.
Many remember Richard for his friendliness, and his energetic conversations on many topics. He was smart and well-read, forever seeking knowledge. He was an avid reader of newspapers, especially the Wall Street Journal, Barrens and the Christion Science Monitor. History books on Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill, and more recently on Japanese history and Kimono were favorites.
Richard had opinions and was not shy about showing them. He was future oriented, inquisitive and naturally skeptical. Some may have seen him as a man “marching to a different drummer”.
Richard had a great sense of humor and loved to relax and enjoy a good belly laugh with his friends. He often entertained with an amazing memory for stories, jokes, and quick creative witticisms.
Richard’s generosity is known to many. He shared his keen analytic mind to mentor and teach younger people and help family and friends problem solve. He enjoyed surprising people with unexpected gifts. He showed a big heart for animals by rescuing and finding homes (sometimes ours) for stray dogs and cats. That love also included feeding foxes grazing in our backyard, nursing injured birds, and back yard landing paths for ducks.
Richard believed in the words of Winston Churchill, “never, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense”.
Richard is survived by his wife, Janith Lucille (Passe), and three nephews, Michael Fuller (Kathy). Daniel Fuller (Alishia) and Christopher Fuller (Crista).
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas R. Fuller of Louisville, Kentucky.
A funeral Mass was offered on Monday, October 19, 2020 at 11:30 am at St. Felix Catholic Church with Reverend Donald Schmitz, and Deacon John Hust officiating. Interment was at St. Felix Cemetery. Military rites were provided by the Wabasha American Legion Post #50 and the Burkhardt-Roemer VFW Post #4086. Family and friends called at the Abbott Funeral Home in Wabasha on Sunday from 2-4 pm followed by a prayer service. Memorials are preferred to Gundersen-St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, or a charity of your choice. The Abbott Funeral Home of Wabasha was in charge of arrangements, www.abbottfh.com