July 30, 2010

Sources: HCJB Global, Heritage Funeral Home (written by Harold Goerzen)

Dr. Morris Everett "Ev" Fuller, a physician who helped found HCJB Global's jungle hospital in Ecuador more than 50 years ago, died in Spokane, Wash., on Tuesday, July 20. His wife, Elisabeth "Liz," of 66 years was at his side when he passed away at the age of 92.

Born to Morris and Helen Fuller in Schenectady, N.Y., on Oct. 10, 1917, Ev graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Union College in Schenectady in 1939 and completed medical school at Syracuse University in New York in 1943.

He married Liz that same year, after which he joined the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II, serving in the Medical Corps until 1946. Citations included two Bronze Stars for military activity on the front lines, and he was promoted from first lieutenant to captain while in combat.

After leaving the Army, Ev returned to Schenectady for additional medical training from 1946 to 1949 in obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics and anesthesiology, completing his medical residency at Gorgas Hospital in Panama.

The Fullers then dedicated their lives to Christian medical work in Ecuador, serving with HCJB Global from 1950 until 1966. Ev worked as a physician while Liz helped as a registered nurse, initially both serving at the Indian Clinic in Quito.

Shortly after their arrival in Ecuador, Nate Saint, the missionary martyr then serving as a pilot with Mission Aviation Fellowship, asked HCJB Global to consider building a hospital in the jungle community of Shell. Ev embraced the idea, and he was put in charge of establishing a clinic in Shell in 1955 and the Epp Memorial Hospital (now Hospital Vozandes-Shell), completed in 1958.

While serving as a medical missionary in Ecuador, Ev was given an award from the Ecuadorian military. He also earned an M.D. from Quito's Central University and taught anesthesiology.

"This man was a great contributing member of our mission," said Ron Cline, who served as HCJB Global's president for 20 years. "He was an inspiration to all the other missionaries. He came from that old school where he responded to the Lord, 'Here am I, send me!' Then he spent the rest of his life doing anything we asked him to do or anything that needed doing. During the many years I worked with him, I never heard, 'Someone should do something!' It was always, 'What can I do?'"

After the Fullers, along with their seven children, left Ecuador in 1966, Ev opened a private practice in general surgery in Whittier, Calif., working in that capacity for 14 years. Following additional training in Schenectady and Panama, he was named a Diplomat by the American Board of Surgery. In 1968 he became a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. He also received an honorary master's degree from Union College for his surgical work in Ecuador.

In early 1982, when Ev was 64, the Fullers returned to part-time medical missions for nine years, serving at HCJB Global's hospitals in Ecuador as well as the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society's Nazareth Hospital in Israel.

In 1990 they moved to Spokane where Ev worked at Franklin Park Minor Emergency until 1991. He then worked part time as a medical consultant for the Washington State Office of Disability Insurance (1991 to 2008).

Ev's interests and commitments included church involvement, piano playing, history, Middle East studies, fishing, photography, archaeology, traveling, reading and praying for his friends and family with his wife, Liz, every morning.

In addition to his wife, Ev is survived by five children (Nancy, David, Dan, Rick and Don), 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Larry, and daughter, Susan.

"He always had a joy about him," Cline added. "In the toughest times, he had that smile. There is no way I can estimate how many missionaries stayed in tough situations because of his positive attitude."

Ev was also known as an excellent Bible study leader and had a "great passion for souls," Cline continued. "I've seen him weep when he spoke of people he knew who needed Jesus. So we're not just talking about one of our fine doctors here, we're talking about a great missionary."

Memorial services were held in Spokane on Tuesday, July 27. Memorial donations may be made to Horizon Hospice, 123 W. Cascade Way, Spokane, WA 99208.