Deepest Sympathy  / Philip &. Sharon Null (friend)

Debra,

We will all miss (Grandpa) Glen dearly. We adopted Glen as our Grandpa about four years ago. When he visited the Harley shop Debbie and I loved listening to his stories. I think he liked to flirt with Debbie just a little bit. He loved it when I would fall for his tall tells.  We now have our own stories to tell about the time we had with him. Sorry to say I only have four years worth of stories to tell. He was part of the family. Philip has known Glen alot longer. They loved to work on old bikes together.

Sharon And Philip

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Dad's Most Memorable Harley Ride  / Debra Lynn Stefan (Daughter)

Nearly 7 weeks after his hospitalization, my dad Glenn Fuller, returned home for hospice care and then passed the very next day at 2:19pm on Friday May 2, 2008. Approximately 23 hours after his homecoming, he took his last breath while lying in my arms. In spite of my deep disappointment, grief, and sorrow, I feel fortunate. First, I feel fortunate for having the privilege of caring for my father in my home for the last 7 months of his 79 years. The daily opportunity to demonstrate my care and concern for his comfort and well-being was a gift that happens once in a lifetime. All my life, I wondered if I ever would have that chance—if fate would work out for me to be able to return the love and care to him when he was the vulnerable one in need of my care. It started out the other way around and I always hoped to return the loving care he showed me when I was young.

This experience has made me a better person for what I have gained in the process. The personal validation, the knowledge that I did everything I was capable of doing for his safety and welfare. To enhance his quality of time remaining was my goal. To all who have known my dad, the presence of motorcycles was an important part of the personal identity of Glenn Fuller. In nearly 55 years of living I personally had never perceived the need for a motorcycle license--but I did now. Dad knew the stretch it was for me to undergo the challenge, to get over my fears and learn to ride. He cheered me on with the reassurance of a mentor who believed in me. I might have never known that he had such confidence in me. His blue Harley “Shovelhead” had been his bike of choice since he bought it new in 1978. I had a Velorex sidecar installed on it with a top-lifting hinge to enable his access. The gray primer front fender remained that way just so he would know it was his same familiar bike and that it would still haul him.

We marked the calendar with all the rides, rallies, and events around. I wanted Dad to know that we were going forward as planned. I took an additional dirt bike riding course and lined up a sidecar coach to ensure that I was ready to ride as he was. Our home health physical therapist devoted an entire session to the practice drill of getting Dad in and out of the rig efficiently. In retrospect, the prep and hype was an important factor in our new bond—even though we would never get to follow through with those adventures together.

No one wants to lose a parent, but when we must the ultimate experience is to hold your loved one close to you while they take their last breath on this earth. I not only had him at home in his own room, I was able to sleep in the same room very close to his bed—close enough to reach out and hold his hand most of that last night. Dad hung on just long enough to make it home for this. Weeks of hospital rooms, intensive care, testing procedures, surgeries and treatments were all behind him now and he knew he was home. The hospice nurse arrived to examine him in the morning and informed me of his short time left. Nothing else mattered but holding my dad in my arms and talking to him. The doctors said he was “non-responsive”, but he would squeeze my hand when asked. As his body began to shut down, I remembered that the hearing is last to go. I continued to talk to him, let him know that I was there, that I loved him, that it was okay for him to go and that I knew he was tired.

The hospice team sent William, their chaplain. William prayed when he got up that day for the opportunity to serve and to make a difference. He fulfilled his purpose this day. We prayed and talked while I held Dad. There was an incredible sense of loving peace that overtook the room. Dad’s few remaining hours felt like minutes as I told story after story about Dad’s life and growing up. I described my favorite childhood scene as depicted in our 1958 Super 8 home video: Dad rode his motorcycle super slow around the back yard with my brother, Rick, me, and two neighborhood playmates riding fore and aft. See this video clip: http://glenn-fuller.memory-of.com/Medias.aspx

I was so proud of my dad and his motorcycle passion. What’s more, he had MY name tattooed on his arm! So as I finished describing the famous 5-person bike ride, Dad stopped breathing. I looked at the chaplain and we nodded. Glenn Fuller had completed his life on this earth.

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My Deepest Condolences  / Wayne Leposavic (Debra's friend )
Dear Debra,

Even though it was expected, I hoped your dad would hang on a little longer, being back home and having you provide loving care. But, in this life, everything is finite and nothing lasts forever.

It appears he slowly faded away, well aware that his life was fully accomplished, as evidenced by the love and care provided by his wonderful daughter. I was amazed to see how much of your life you had dedicated to the person in need of your love and care. Not many parents can even hope their children would duplicate what you have done for you dad. I commend you for that. I am sure, your dad was fully aware of that, when he left us forever.

A significant époque in your life has come to an end. A new époque will commence. When the pain and the feel of loss of someone so dear get reduced to a bearable level, I would like to see you again and talk about good old times.

Wayne Close

Ride on Brother Glenn  / Lew Hancock (Friend)
Glenn was a friend to everyone. This site is a wonderful thing. My condolences to the family for the losses. I went to school with Rick for a short time, and would like him to know, we all think Glenn was a one of a kind gentleman. Always willing to share a story, or make me smile. Ride on Brother Glenn! Close

Military Medals and Awards  / Debra Stefan (Daughter)

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, World war II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal - Japan, 82nd Airborne Paratrooper, Navy Submarine Sailor Dolphins

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Thank you  / Gerry Earl (Friend)
Thank you for allowing me to meet your father, a war hero and fellow bike rider. 

I hope to hear that you have completed some of the trips that you talked to dad about. 

Gerry Close

Our Deepest Sympathy  / Terry And Larry Loyd (Debra)

We both are touched by your stories and loss of your father at this time in your life.  We are saddened to see the loss of a true motorcyclist and we hope that his memory will always be with you when you ride and hear other motorcycles go by.  Our prayers are with you at this time of rememberence and we wish you strength through this time or mourning.  Know that he is riding with all his fallen brothers and sisters on a nice twisty highway.

With our deepest sympathy,

Terry and Larry Loyd

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My deepest condolences  / Hendrick Polanco

My deepest condolences. I hope these few words from the Holy Scriptures give some comfort in your time of grief...

John 11:32-45

32 And so Mary, when she arrived where Jesus was and caught sight of him, fell at his feet, saying to him: “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” 33 Jesus, therefore, when he saw her weeping and the Jews that came with her weeping, groaned in the spirit and became troubled; 34 and he said: “Where have YOU laid him?” They said to him: “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus gave way to tears. 36 Therefore the Jews began to say: “See, what affection he used to have for him!” 37 But some of them said: “Was not this [man] that opened the eyes of the blind man able to prevent this one from dying?”

38 Hence Jesus, after groaning again within himself, came to the memorial tomb. It was, in fact, a cave, and a stone was lying against it. 39 Jesus said: “TAKE the stone away.” Martha, the sister of the deceased, said to him: “Lord, by now he must smell, for it is four days.” 40 Jesus said to her: “Did I not tell you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” 41 Therefore they took the stone away. Now Jesus raised his eyes heavenward and said: “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. 42 True, I knew that you always hear me; but on account of the crowd standing around I spoke, in order that they might believe that you sent me forth.” 43 And when he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice: “Laz´a·rus, come on out!” 44 The [man] that had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his countenance was bound about with a cloth. Jesus said to them: “Loose him and let him go.”

45 Therefore many of the Jews that had come to Mary and that beheld what he did put faith in him;

If you would like more information regarding the hope expressed in this passage please go to the link below...

http://www.watchtower.org/e/20060315/article_02.htm

 

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