Obituary of Theodore E Fuller

Theodore E. Fuller of Pennsylvania Furnace, PA passed away on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at Centre Care Rehabilitation and Wellness Services. Born on February 7, 1929, in Unadilla, NY, he was the son of the late Theodore Fuller and Viola Dalton Fuller. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Latimer Fuller, who died on May 7, 2018, and his son Eric Theodore Fuller, who died on May 22, 1979. Ted is survived by his daughter, Roana Alice Fuller, of Pennsylvania Furnace, and his sister, Phebe Fuller Johnson, of Pittsboro, NC.

Ted was a 1947 graduate of Unadilla High School. While there, he developed lifelong passions for baseball and music, pitching southpaw for his baseball team, playing trombone in the school band, and singing in the school choir.

Ted earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Potsdam State Teachers College, and a master's degree in Geography and Ph. D. in Agricultural Economics from Pennsylvania State University. Until his retirement in 1985, he worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After retirement, Ted continued his interest in economics. From 1985 until his death, he was involved in a variety of projects, including studies involving Pennsylvania agriculture and economics.

From 1951-52, Ted served in the Korean War as a singer in the U.S. Army's musical group which travelled throughout Korea providing entertainment for the troops.

Ted met his future wife, Alice Latimer, in 1953 on a blind date arranged by relatives. The pair got off to a rocky start when Alice thought she had been stood up after Ted went to the wrong address to pick her up! This didn't, however, derail their attraction to each another and they were married for 63 years.

Ted had a zest for life, many interests and an inquisitive mind. He loved engaging with people and could laugh at himself. Ted ran marathons, was an avid gardener and reader, played chess competitively up until his death, and relentlessly cheered on his Pittsburgh Pirates for 60 years. He and Alice participated in numerous Road Scholar trips. Ted particularly enjoyed the guest lectures and the discussions with other participants. He adopted Alice's interest in birds and, together, they enjoyed countless birding adventures, both locally and throughout the U.S.

After retirement, he rediscovered his passion for music. Ted sang with the State College Chorale, played trombone in the Bellefonte Community Band, and took trombone lessons. He was also a lead singer and trombonist with The Second Winds, a local band playing hits from the 1930s and 1940s. Entertaining before smaller audiences with whom he could interact gave him a special joy, and he was a member of the group for 25 years, into his 90s.

In the past few years, he discovered an interest in poetry, writing poems and taking poetry classes through the Penn State Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

Walk on a Winter Day – at 93

I awake – it’s sunny cold

January’s gift –

A Winter Day

The sun says “git up” – the cold “stay put”

The sun wins – I arise to smells of breakfast

On a Winter Day

I “walker” walk to breakfast – a feast,

Pancakes-maple syrup, bacon, and sausage –

I’m psyched – on a Winter Day

BUT - Breakfast lures to recliner and TV.

Talk, cook, and “how-to” merge into endless sports.

Psyched retreats to snooze – this Winter Day

BUT – Again the sun speaks – suggests a walk in January’s gift.

Again the sun wins – I hesitate, then “walker” walk in sunny cold,

At 93 – I am ALIVE! – this WINTER DAY

                                                          -Ted Fuller

                                                            January 17, 2022

Memorial contributions in remembrance of Ted may be made to the Eric Fuller Scholarship Fund at https://centre-foundation.org/funds/eric-fuller-scholarship-fund/, or Centre Foundation, 1377 Ridge Master Drive, State College, PA 16803.

Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit them on Facebook.