Edward Kent Fuge

Edward Kent Fuge, age 87, a resident of Albuquerque since 1971, died Thursday, October 17, 2019.

He is survived by his friend and companion, Sari Clark, and his children,  Michael (wife Barbara) of Albuquerque, Patrick (wife Sharon Novak) of San Diego, CA, Wendy (husband Jon Helton), of Sandia Park, James, of Durango, CO, Lisbeth (husband David d’Antonio), of Cedar Crest, Mark, of Albuquerque, and Lynne Carlberg, of Albuquerque. There are nine grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ida Fuge of Somerville, NJ. He was a member of Our Lady of Annunciation Church in Albuquerque.

After high school he joined the U.S. Air Force. His first posting was to Madrid, Spain where he met and married Helen Matthews, stationed with the U.S. State Department Foreign Service. They were married in Morocco and celebrated 60 years of marriage before Helen died in 2012. His career as an USAF officer took him to assignments in the U.S. and Europe. He retired from the military as a major, and the family settled in Albuquerque. Ed was a graduate of University of Denver and the University of New Mexico (UNM). After completing his master’s and doctoral programs (ABD), he began a second career as an under-graduate advisor and adjunct professor teaching political science and public administration at UNM, the University of Albuquerque, the Albuquerque Technical-Vocational Institute (T-VI), and served as registrar of the UNM Law School. Ed’s favorite activities included staying current with news and political events, following baseball, and spending time with family and friends. He spent time as a river ranger at the Wild & Scenic Rio Chama and he enjoyed river rafting throughout the southwest. He will be remembered for his interesting career, his story telling, and his generosity and encouragement as a father and a friend.

Rosary will be recited Thursday, October 24, 2019, 7:00 p.m. at FRENCH - Lomas.  Mass will be celebrated Friday, October 25, 2019, 8:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Annunciation, 2621 Vermont St., interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of Annunciation Church, or other charitable organizations.

Ode to ED

We are gathered here today in prayer and remembrance of Edward Kent Fuge. I am Mike, the oldest of his seven adult children, which goes in order of, Mike, Pat (my twin brother), Wendy, Jimmy, Beth, Mark and Lynne. I want to thank all of you as a group and individually for your attendance at this rosary prayer.

Ed was born in, Bound Brook, New Jersey on October 7, 1932, as an only child. His parents, Ida and Harold Fuge were settled in Somerville NJ. Ed attended and graduated from the local Somerville “Pioneers” High school. His favorite sports were fast-pitch baseball and shooting straight pool.
He enlisted into the USAF in 1951, were he advanced quickly to an NCO rank of Tech- sergeant. His first posting was to Madrid Spain, in 1952. He was an administrative aid to the team of diplomats and US officers in establishing the, “Pact of Madrid”, in 1953, which setup American airbases in Spain during the Franco régime. In Madrid he met Helen Matthews, from Pittsburg Pennsylvania who was working in the American Embassy. They got engaged and then were married in both a religious and a civil ceremony. They had four children, while stationed in Spain for five years.(Mike ,Pat, Wendy and Jimmy)
Ed applied for and was accepted into the USAF Officers candidate school (OCS) located in San Antonio Texas. For 18 months of hard work, study and discipline, Ed was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the USAF.
Moving annually became a way of life as the family moved from Denver Colorado to  San Antonio, Texas to Biloxi, Mississippi to Kirksville Missouri to Cape Cod MA., to Montauk Long Island and back to Biloxi Mississippi.
Three more children, Bethie, Mark and Lynne and three more promotions, to First Lieutenant, Captain then, Major. The fun started when the family moved to Wiesbaden Germany, with the USAFE, for five years.
Once I asked my dad what his job was, and he answered me in a matter of a fact style, that he was, “here to deter tens-of- thousands of Soviet tanks from over-running Europe”. That’s all he ever said about his job.
In 1971,this warrior, Major Ed Fuge, retired from the USAF,after 21 years of service to his country, and moved the family to Albq. NM, the land of 55 shades of brown, as it was originally referred to in conversation. Were you need a passport and make sure your shot record is up to date. What a big change from central Europe. ”.
One of Ed’s final official duties as a retired Major of USAF, was to give the ‘’oath of enlistment” to his two sons, Mike and Pat as they both enlisted into the USAF in 1972 after graduating high school.

Ed had his eyes and determination focused teaching at UNM. 18 months was spent between UNM and the University of Denver while completing his masters and doctoral programs, and then he was now known as, “yes sir, Professor Fuge”. He was an under graduate advisor and adjunct professor teaching political science  and public administration at 100,200 and 300 level courses at UNM and TVI. He also served as the Registrar at UNM Law School for five years. Many of his colleagues and students had several of the same comments, (such as), “wonderful teacher”, “great with the students”.   Ed was a “fixer”, with a great insight to the workings of academia.       He was the “inside voice” at the Law school.     He was nice to people and a good man.    An expert at getting through the bureaucratic red-tape.   Ed always gave it his best to accomplish, whatever he said he was going to do.
Ed had an attraction for white water rafting. He was able to magnificently row a small pac-cat or a cut-throat and even a 16 foot cataraft. He purchased a large “Sotar raft” (self bailer) and had it fully equipped and fitted-out.

He sent his adult children to swift water survival courses, so he would ride safely in style and comfort in the, “Big” water. He had two trips of three weeks each of 277 miles through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River and its 62 major rapids. Many trips floated down the Green river. He especially liked the racecourse at Pilar NM and of course the Taos Box. When he needed some fun on dry land he volunteered as a Ranger at the Chama river rafter check in.

One of the most moving and important part of Ed’s life was in 2013 when he started the Catholic church’s, R.C.I.A. program.( the rite of Christian initiation of adults),at the Annunciation Catholic Church. (Why)? He was so moved by the faith in Christ my mother, Helen, had prior to her passing in 2012. It took a year to accomplish the 4 stages and he concluded with the celebration of the sacraments on Easter Vigil.

What do I remember about Dad,His loyalty and charity to his family and friends

His complete and total love to his wife, Helen.

His fairness in dealing with all the people that lived and worked with him.

The courage he had, in spite of fear and danger to have the mental fortitude to carry on with a commitment or plan knowing that it was the right thing to do.

His politeness and kindness to most people in tough and unusual circumstances.

His sense of humor, when dealing with stressful situations.

His reliability, to follow through on his commitments.

His love of God, country and family.

“AS WE LOOK BACK”

As we look back over time
we find ourselves wondering …..
Did we remember to thank you enough
for all you have done for us?
For all the times you were by our sides
to help and support us …..
To celebrate our successes
To understand our problems
and accept our defeats?
Or for teaching us by your example,
the value of hard work, good judgment,
Courage and integrity?
We wonder if we ever thanked you
for the sacrifices you made.
To let us have the very best?
And for the simple things
like laughter, smiles and times we shared?
If we have forgotten to show our
Gratitude enough for all the things you did,
we’re thanking you now.
And we are hoping you knew all along,
how much You meant to us.

Thank you from everyone here today.