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Obituary for Peter D. Fuller
Peter D. Fuller, age 74, of Willow Brook Farms, Catasauqua, PA passed away on April 28, 2024. He was born in the Allentown Hospital in 1950, the son of CT Fuller and Alexandra Huston Fuller. Peter attended Moravian Prep in Bethlehem, PA, graduated from the Choate School in Wallingford, CT in 1969; then graduated from Lehigh University in 1973.
Peter was a humanitarian, a mentor dedicated to helping underprivileged kids find better opportunities his entire life. He believed that it was his calling. He studied Social Sciences at Lehigh University to learn how to give back and make a difference. He appreciated the many generations of people who had worked for his family over the years. He felt that these people had given his family opportunities, and it was his turn to give back. He founded Alternative House for emotionally disturbed children, was active in County and State Committees for Juvenile Justice, helped bring Communities in Schools for at-risk youth in the Lehigh Valley, was President of the Second Mile in the Lehigh Valley, and President and Co-founder of Embrace Your Dreams.
He married Joan Benner of Allentown in 1973 and bought land in Bucks County, where they raised three children. Their home on Cooks Creek was historic. The original 1700s log cabin was built as a stagecoach stop by Thomas Penn after the Walking Purchase. Attached to this was an 1800s stone addition, then in the 1970s Peter and Joan constructed their own growing family addition. During renovations, arrowheads from the Indian Wars were reportedly found in the logs and old horse hair plaster in the chinking between the logs.
Peter was an environmentalist. In 1981 he created the Jere Knight Nature Trail for Nature education as part of Cooks Creek Nature Center, where he and Joan hosted an educational Kid’s Day Camp at their farm. He was active in The Cooks Creek Watershed Association, and Peter and Joan frequently hosted events for neighbors and local environmentalists. In 1993, Peter donated 64 acres to Heritage Conservancy to create the Fuller Preserve, which helped to protect Cooks Creek. This donation was noteworthy because it was “one of the largest ever received by the conservancy” and because it contains a tributary to Cooks Creek considered to be “one of the few cold-water streams in Bucks County that supports the natural reproduction of trout.”
That same year, 1993, Peter and Joan moved their family to Emmaus, Pennsylvania to be closer to Willow Brook Farms, where Peter would help his father run the family’s farm.
Peter was an entrepreneur. Along with Randy Leggitt, Peter was co-founder of Automotive Import Recycling (AIR) April 1979 - August of 1987. They remanufactured over 2000 BMW, Volvo, Porche and Mercedes automobiles and employed a large staff during the course of their eight-year existence. AIR inspired numerous companies like this to open around the country, many of which still exist today—e.g., Integrated Automotive Services in Easton, PA.
From 1989 until 2011, Peter presided over Willow Brook Land Development Corp., the Golf Course, Willow Brook Enterprises, and Willow Brook Natural Horsemanship Center.
Peter was a seeker of wisdom and truth. Peter and Joan attended Quaker meetings and eventually studied with Swami Dayananda Saraswati, their teacher of 39 years, Advita Vedanta, an ancient teaching tradition of Spiritual Awareness. In 2000, Peter, Joan and Jeff Iobst traveled to India as guests of Swami Dayananda. Peter was acting first President of Arsha Vidya Pitham, a Vedanta teaching institution when it was founded in the Poconos.
Peter had a warm and genuine Heart and made friends easily. He was often late for meetings because he’d met someone along the way, at a gas station or fast-food place and would lose track of time. Peter touched many lives and made a difference for the good in this world.
Peter was an athlete, competing in wrestling, quarter horse events, dirt bike racing, tennis, and golf. In 2009 Peter won the Atlantic Reined Cow Horse Association – Limited Open Bridle Champion riding his horse, Paulie. He entered in Team Roping competitions and was fascinated with the natural horsemanship training methods, learning from many top clinicians who he brought to Willow Brook Farms. Peter also taught clinics with his “stay and play” format. He loved teaching.
Peter loved his horses and dedicated himself to the art of horsemanship. He often rode his horses in peaceful silence around his beloved Willow Brook Farms. His spiritual roots of being present in the moment made his connection an active meditation.
Those who knew Peter will always remember him, with a quick smile, a friendly jest, as a good horseman, a wonderful husband and father, and an exceptionally talented, funny, and loving soul. He will be missed greatly.
Family members are grateful to China Cottman and Peter’s dedicated team of caregivers, Colleen McCloskey, and dearest friends for ensuring his health and wellbeing for 13 years.
He is survived by his children, Nicole, Zachary, and Jeremiah Fuller, as well as sisters, Victoria Fuller and Holly Fuller McLain.
Per his last wishes, donations and memorial contributions in his memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Preferably those who dedicate themselves to the less fortunate, or handicapped children who require long term assistance.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Brubaker Funeral Home, Inc. of Catasauqua is honored to handle the arrangements. www.brubakerfunerahome.com
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