Richard Fuller ’48
Richard Harlow Fuller, 93, of Frankfort, went home to be with his Savior on October 21, 2020 at Wesley Manor Retirement Community.
He was born on June 10, 1927 in Syracuse, NY to Harlow Mercer and Mildred (Stewart) Fuller. He married Lillian (Petzinger) Fuller on July 1, 1950. Lillian passed away on December 24, 2018. Richard graduated from Valley High School in Syracuse, NY and attended Hope College in Michigan before enlisting in the Navy near the end of World War II. He served in the Pacific Fleet before returning home at war’s end. Upon his return, Richard completed a degree in optometry from Columbia University and was a practicing optometrist until his retirement in 1987, continuing a four-generation tradition started by his great-grandfather in Phoenix, NY.
He specialized in low vision work in addition to his regular practice and eventually completed his Doctor of Optometry degree through Boston University. The majority of his retirement years were spent in Houghton, NY, where he was an active volunteer at the Royal Family Kids Camp and Houghton College. Richard will be remembered by his family as caring health care professional, a loving father and grandfather, a talented woodworker, a devoted Christ follower, a loyal Syracuse University fan and someone who loved a good laugh. He served as a church board member for several congregations in Syracuse and served on the Town of Caneadea, NY board for several terms. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts be made to the Houghton NY Wesleyan Church ( https://www.hwchurch.org/
Visitation and Services A memorial service is planned for the near future. Goodwin Funeral Home, 200 S. Main Street, Frankfort and Clinton County Crematory are honored to assist the Fuller family. Survived by: Dr. Fuller is survived by his three children: Marilyn (Paul) Copeland of Frankfort, Timothy (Carol) Fuller of Indianapolis and Jonathan (Kate) Fuller of Phoenix, AZ; 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.