I have just learned of Paul's passing and was so saddened by the news.  I was a Political Science major at Transylvania so I had him for a number of history courses.  He was always one of my favorite professors and I have many fond memories of interacting with him.  Sincere sympathies to the family.

When I started work at Transylvania as a new professor in 1994, I had the great honor of having Paul assigned to me as my mentor.  He was a great person as so many have said. He helped me adjust to the new cultural environment, as I was coming far from California. He helped me to understand what the academic life at Transylvania was like and how I should take time to understand its history.  When I heard of his passing in our first faculty meeting this year, I was stunned and very saddened. I will always remember his upbeat and positive personality, his smile, and his wit. He was easy to be around, yet had strong values and opinions. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.

Although I transferred from Transylvania during my sophomore year, Dr. Fuller was certainly one of the professors I wished I
could have taken with me to Miami U.  He was a compassionate listener and great teacher, always interested in the student's perspective.  I especially remember his caring manner when I discussed with him how unhappy I was at  Transy, but it had nothing to do with the quality of his or others teaching.  May he rest in peace and be sweetly remembered!  

My life was blessed the day Dr.  Fuller was appointed my faculty advisor at Transylvania.  He was my mentor, my instructor, my guide, and ultimately, my friend.  Because he demanded the best of me, I worked extra hard to not let his confidence go to waste.  I have always credited him with the fact that I was admitted to law school.  In the years since graduation I connected with this extraordinary individual on several occasions.  He was always gracious and humble.  He was so easy to speak with and generous with his time and wisdom.  I was struck by the fact that he always appeared to be genuinely happy to hear from me.  What a gem we have lost!  What a sad day.  My prayers go out to Peggy and his family in this time of loss.    

Dr. Fuller was my advisor and Professor  on my goal for a Major in History at Transy which I attained in 1971.
As you all know Dr. Fuller was interested in the person beyond the curriculum. 
As a Transy baseball player it was always the first subject of conversation when we met. What a pleasure it was knowing him. 
He taught much more than subject matter to his students. He was pure class. God Bless and keep Dr Paul Fuller. 

My dear little friend from so long ago, Bill & I share our sympathy & prayers with you at this difficult time. 
Peggy, I do remember some good thoughts from years past.   MAY the love & memories help in some small way.
Sorry we could not attend the service, but we hold you close in out thoughts.  Love, Sybil T. Dixon 

Peggy.
I read about Paul's passing in the newspaper today and  a sadness came over me.  Even though it has beenmany years since I had seen you all, it seems  not all that long ago.  Paul (Flip) was on the Central High football team with my dear brother, Jimmy and me.   Seeing him in his R. O. T. C. uniform -- how neat and handsome he always was.  And you, Peggy,  you kow how I felt about you.  You were alwsays Special .  I wish I had taken the opportunity to know your family through the years.  Know your kids and you and Paul know my wife, Virginia and my two kids.  

My prayers are with you and your family at this time of great loss but we all knowt hat this stay here on earth is short compared to the future life.  Please feel free to contact me via e-mail or Facebook if y ou care to.  It would be good to hear from yu  and learn of others of your family.  My deepest love to ;you and your family.

Leo Matheny



I was a 17-year-old freshman at Wesleyan College in the fall of 1974 when Dr. Fuller was assigned to me as my advisor.  I had already made the decision to attend law school and Dr. Fuller steered my class choices in such a way as to prepare me well for my chosen profession.  Even though he was no longer on the Wesleyan faculty in 1978 when I was applying to law school, he very generously wrote letters of recommendation on my behalf.  The act for which I am most grateful, however, was a conversation he and I had early on in which he inquired as to my other interests.  When I mentioned that I loved to write, Dr. Fuller suggested that I choose creative writing courses as my electives.  I followed that advice.   And I kept writing.  My first book was published 38 years later; it may not have happened had Dr. Fuller not taken the time to ask the right question and pay attention to the answer.  I suspect I am not the only student indebted to him for that reason.

Dr.  Fuller always wore a tie.  Every day.  It was the early 90's and life was becoming more and more casual, but not with Dr. Fuller.  My favorite was his pink plaid Ralph Lauren tie.  It always made me smile.  The college kids of the 90's were full of angst and embracing the darkness of the grunge movement and then Dr. Fuller would show up to class with his pink plaid tie and preppy Southern charm.  It was wonderful.  So much has been said about his gentle kindness and his amazing teaching ability and I ditto all of those remarks.  I took more classes at Transy with him than any other professor, and I would have taken more if I could have squeezed them in to my schedule.  Dr. Fuller changed my life.  He molded my ability to think for myself, to learn to be comfortable with uncomfortable topics.  He gave me confidence in my abilities as a student, and one day when he brought in a typed version of my answers to the ID section on one of his tests as an example of what he expected from others on that section, it brought tears to my eyes.  He never revealed they were mine to the class, and he never said anything to me about it, but having his endorsement was all I needed to keep working harder.  I think my hand almost fell off one year during Finals Week from writing so much in those Blue Books, but it was all worth it.  His was a life well-lived and a true testament to the notion that you get what you give.  I am honored and grateful for everything he taught me.  

It is with great sorrow to hear of the passing of Professor Fuller.  I am a graduate of the Transy, class of 1968. Professor Fuller was a true gentlemen and a scholar.  When I think back about my memories at Transy, I think about how very much I enjoyed his history classes. He loved to joke with me about my thick Boston accent and called upon me  frequently in class to have me answer questions.  Great guy and will be missed.

I will never forget Paul's warm smile and quiet presence. 

Dr. Fuller was one of my colleagues in Haupt Humanities, and I always felt a little more at ease when he was there.  He was friendly, and had a good word to share.  He was a wise problem solver, and always tried to solve problems rather than create problems.  With deepest sympathies for Peggy and the extended family.

Professor Barbara Gaddy


Dr. Fuller was the embodiment of the college professor everyone wanted to engage. He so obviously loved teaching and the students that it radiated from him. But he was so much more even than that.  As others have said so well, he was a kind, gentle man who made others feel welcome in his presence. Later in life I tried to "channel" him as an adjunct professor (and failed of course). He was uniquely himself. I am profoundly  grateful for his impact on my life. My deepest condolences to Peggy and  family.

When I think of Paul Fuller, I have such wonderful memories.  When I think of Paul, I think of:   the beautiful roses he tended and cut from his garden; the smell of his pipe in his office at Transy that I frequented as a child; his poetry readings at Christmas;  his loving friendship with wire fox terriers; his intelligence, wit, and flawless charm; his indecipherable handwriting at the front of  thoughtful books; kindness beyond ordinary measure in this world; and Peggy, I think of Paul and Peggy.  I laugh when I think of the time that I must have tested the limits of that boundless Fuller patience when he somehow drew the short straw and tried to teach me how to drive a stick shift when I turned 16.   It was the only time I ever recall seeing him even a little bit flustered—and I still can’t drive one.  I remember another time when I was a young child that Paul pulled over on the side of the road to rescue a bird that had been hit by a car and how he gently carried it to safety.  Our lives are so much better having known Paul Fuller.  All our love and prayers are for Paul and to Peggy, Paul Jr., Lisa, and all of the family.

-Aimée Dugi Johnson


I will always remember Dr. Fuller as one of the teachers who went with Dean Burns on a European trip in summer of 1972. We all had the best time on that trip. It was great to have him teach us while in museums and great cities of Europe. My love of traveling started with this fun six weeks. I am a retired English teacher with another love, being a travel agent now. I still travel and remember so many of Dr. Fuller's witty remarks. He was a jewel. I am so sorry to hear of his passing.
Theadis Stivers Damewood Transylvania 1975

What sad news for the whole Transy community.   Dr. Fuller became my teacher, mentor, and friend in the early 60s.   He was one of the main reasons I loved college.  His humor, kindness, and example has had a big influence on my life.  Sending deepest sympathies to his family.

So many wonderful memories of Dr. Fuller spring to mind each time I hear his name.  He played such a large role in our years at Transy in the late 80s, and beyond.  I remember the classes he taught, the wonderful field trips we took, the softball games, and his humor and wisdom.  He had the most gracious and  humble spirit.   He sparked such a love of history and teaching in me that I went on to get my graduate degree in history at U.K., and taught as an adjunct for several years.  My husband is now the head of the History Department at KWC, and I know he is proudly following in Dr. Fuller's footsteps.  We often share stories about him with our children and with our students.  He was so much more than just a great professor, though, and was a true mentor who became a dear friend.  He attended our wedding, and our second son's middle name is Paul in honor of our beloved friend, whom we respected and admired so much.  He was a true Southern gentleman and scholar, and he will be so missed, but will always be thought of often, and with much fondness. 

Dear Peggy and family,
I was so sorry to hear about Dr. Fuller.  He was a favorite professor of mine and I always loved seeing you two when you came back to Transy.
He was soft spoken, but so knowledgeable of his topic.  We all enjoyed our classes with him.  Many years of students enjoyed him because of his caring spirit, his smile, and the twinkle in his eye.  You are in my thoughts and prayers.  Sincerely, Jessie Lackey Fennell , TU'66

As a member of Class of '69, Dr. Fuller was a remarkable gentleman as others have said, who definitely taught as many life lessons as those pertaining to history. An excellent teacher who went beyond to facts to enable students to visualize the culture of the period as well. His teaching style led me to attempt to do the same in my time as a secondary teacher. I was fortunate to experience  his kindness and patience in my role as a student assistant for the professors in the history department. Dr. Fuller made class fun and learning a joy. In softball jargon, Dr. Paul Fuller has rounded third and made it safely home.

We were sorry to hear of professor Fuller’s passing.  It was always my pleasure to work with Paul on many projects at Transylvania.  Paul could always be counted on to complete his task, and help to make the tasks of  others  easier.  Betty and I wish Peggy and the family the best.
Professor James E. Miller

A quiet giant among educators is my lasting memory of Dr. Fuller.  He was my faculty advisor during my time at Transylvania and a huge influence in my life.  He left this life better than he found it.  Lou Dzialo Transy '69.


Dr Paul Fuller was the BEST teacher that I ever had! He made Western Civilization Class "alive and exciting".

He also had a Green Thumb and I had the privilege  of seeing his Rose Garden when he lived in Kentucky.

He was truly a GREAT HUMAN BEING; I would have to say he was a person who was easy to love! He made the world a better place and he will be MISSED!

Sheron Pacha Barnett Marshall
Class of 1971

There are people that enter your lives and help to shape you into the person that you eventually will become. Dr. Fuller was definitely one of those people for me. A true southern gentleman that taught me many life lessons in the classroom and in the softball dugout, in which I had the honor of coaching with him at Transylvania. A life well lived. My sincere condolences to the family.

Oh my, I thought Dr. Fuller would live forever as in my memories of him in the mid 1960's at Transy. He was a favorite professor due to his ease of teaching, and also his friendly connections with his students. His knowledge of the subject was deep, but his sense of humor made even dry information rather tasty.
 He is missed and will be always.

OBITUARY

Paul E. Fuller

11 February, 1932 – 30 August, 2018

Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist-North Chapel and Hamilton Memorial Gardens

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