Professor remembered for accomplishments, humility

Dr. Charles D. Fulhage died from injuries sustained in a car accident.

By Elliot Njus

Published Feb. 29, 2008

Colleagues said MU and the nation lost a top researcher in Charles D. Fulhage, but family and friends said he was always humble about his accomplishments.

Dr. Fulhage, an MU Extension professor and agricultural engineer, died Tuesday from injuries sustained in a car accident Feb. 22. He was 61 years old.

Dr. Fulhage grew up on a farm in Yates Center, Kan., said Jane Fulhage, his wife.

“He was just a very kind and loving man,” Jane Fulhage said. “He had a great sense of humor.”

The two lived on a small farm with their son, Eric. Dr. Fulhage was a great father, Jane Fulhage said.

“He just thoroughly enjoyed taking care of him,” she said.

Until a few years ago, she said, Dr. Fulhage coached his son’s basketball team at Columbia Catholic School. He also helped with his son’s soccer team and never missed a high school track meet, Jane Fulhage said.

She said Dr. Fulhage was a licensed pilot and flew a small plane. She said they loved to be outdoors together.

David Baker, the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources assistant dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, said Dr. Fulhage was the top agricultural waste management expert in the nation.

Baker said Dr. Fulhage was well recognized in the field of agriculture for his work, and that he was dedicated to the profession.

Jane Fulhage said her husband was humble about his work. She said he kept awards in his home office rather than at work.

“He never talked about his achievements,” she said. “He never wanted to have a lot of recognition.”

Baker said Dr. Fulhage did everything in his power to help the industry grow and meet regulations while protecting the environment.

“He was just a prince of a gentleman, an outstanding faculty member and a great friend,” Baker said.

Dr. Fulhage was always willing to help his coworkers, Baker said.

“Any time I needed to borrow a trailer or something, Charlie said, ‘We’ll do it,’” he said.

Baker said Dr. Fulhage also loved working with MU’s younger faculty members.

“In a quiet and unassuming way, he lay an impact on this state that I don’t really think people realize,” he said.

MU Extension assistant professor Joe Zulovich, who had an office near Dr. Fulhage and worked with him on projects since 1991, said he often turned to him for consultation and advice.

“He was excellent to work with,” Zulovich said. “Almost never would he say he didn’t have time to help you.”

Zulovich said though he was able to help with computer issues and offer his expertise in livestock housing, Dr. Fulhage was always able to offer his experienced perspective on professional and ethical issues. Together, he said, they were able to better serve Missouri’s farmers.

“We had a really neat working relationship,” Zulovich said. “I’m going to miss him. No other way of putting it.”

Dr. Fulhage graduated with a bachelor’s degree in grain science from Kansas State University in 1968, according to the MU Web site.

He earned a master’s degree in agricultural engineering from MU in 1970 and a doctorate in 1972.

He started working at MU shortly thereafter.

Most of his work focused on animal manure management, Zulovich said.

The MU Faculty Council offered a moment of silence at its meeting Thursday in Dr. Fulhage’s memory.

Dr. Fulhage is survived by his wife, Jane Fulhage; his son, Eric Fulhage; and sisters Sharon Armeli of Hornell, N.Y., and Marla Beckcom, of Girard, Kan.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Funeral Home, 1217 Business Loop 70 W. in Columbia.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas More Newman Center, 701 Maryland Ave. in Columbia.