February 03, 2009
Millard Fuller, Founder of Habitat for Humanity, Dies at Age 74
By Brennen Jensen
Millard Fuller, founder and former long-time leader of Habitat for Humanity International, the house-building charity, died early Tuesday morning. He was 74. Since 2005 Mr. Fuller has lead the Fuller Center for Housing, a housing charity he launched in Americus, Ga., following a somewhat contentious departure from Habitat for Humanity.
The cause of death is not known and an autopsy is to be performed today.
“He got a pretty severe chest cold a couple of weeks ago and couldn’t shake it,” says Holly Chapman, the Fuller Center’s vice president of communications and development “He took a turn for the worse last night and died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.”
“Millard Fuller was a force of nature who turned a simple idea into an international organization that has helped more than 300,000 families move from deplorable housing into simple, decent homes they helped build and can afford to buy and live in,” said Jonathan Reckford, chief executive of Habitat for Humanity International, in a statement. “The entire Habitat family mourns the loss of our founder, a true giant in the affordable housing movement.”
Mr. Fuller was a millionaire entrepreneur in 1976 when he gave away his wealth and left the business world to start Habitat for Humanity. He and his wife, Linda, oversaw the charity’s growth and expansion from rural Georgia into a global enterprise that has helped house more than a million people.
Last year Habitat raised more money than all but 13 other organizations in the United States, according to The Chronicle’s annual Philanthropy 400 ranking of America’s most-successful fund-raising charities.
Four years ago, Mr. Fuller was fired by the Habitat for Humanity board following a yearlong investigation into accusations that he had had inappropriate contact with a female staff member. Mr. Fuller denied any wrongdoing, calling the board’s action’s “draconian” and “outrageous” in a 2005 interview with The Chronicle. (He also talked about the episode in an article The Chronicle published last year about how executives can deal with challenges from their boards.)
The Fuller Center for Housing, which he started following his ouster from Habitat to continue his housing work, now has affiliates in 41American cities and more than 15 countries. The center’s board will meet next week to discuss Mr. Fuller’s replacement as president.
“Millard would want us to continue working and that’s what we intend to do,” Ms. Chapman says. “His vision was to eliminate poverty housing for every single person in the world.”
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I met the Habitat people way back in the early seventies and was inspired to about the possibilities of being a social entreneur in faith based groups. He was a man who truly used his talents and gifts to maximize his faith in action. RIP
— Gary Sweeten Feb 3, 03:17 PM #
The world has lost a greatlly great man! Millard has been one of my heroes for a long time. He inspired the world to do better and to pay attention to the least. I will be forever grateful having known Millard Fuller.
— Robert Knebel Feb 3, 03:48 PM #
I’ve not met many other people who did more to follow his passion and dream than Millard Fuller. That his dream was about helping others is even rarer.
— Clay Myers-Bowman Feb 3, 04:28 PM #
Millard was an inspiration to me as to what one person can do. May his work continue!
— Kevin King, Mennonite Disaster Service Feb 3, 04:29 PM #
Millard and Linda stoped in Cartersville on their first Habitat walk from Americus.He spoke at theEpiscopal church here and inspired all in attendance toward his cause. He will be sorely missed. My heart goes out to Linda.
— Gay Delinger Feb 3, 05:04 PM #
It is impossible to express all that Millard Fuller’s life meant to this world in just a few lines. No one has done more to truly live their spiritual beliefs that everyone, rich or poor, had the ability to make a positive difference in their own lives and the lives of others.
— Kristina Carlson Feb 4, 02:56 PM #
Millard was one of the great humanitarians of our time. Besides the countless people he helped, he was an inspiration to all who knew him.
— Bill Horan, Operation Blessing International Feb 4, 03:05 PM #
Millard came to Bridgeport CT three years after we incorporated the Bridgeport Chapter as a guest of Habitat and the Council of Churches. He inspired us to dig in and not to let the obstacles get in our way.
— Jack Hickey-Williams Feb 4, 03:36 PM #
Millard Fuller was brilliant, bold, dynamic … full of love, full of charisma and enthusiasm … what a difference he made to millions of volunteers as well as to more than one million people now living in houses built under his ministries. OYA!
— Jackie Goodman Feb 5, 02:06 AM #
About 10 years ago, my husband and I had the privilege of meeting and sharing a meal with Millard Fuller and serving as hosts to Millard and Linda when they visited our church. You see, his office asked only one thing of us—that we made sure he ate. Millard was truly a force of nature, accustomed to skipping meals as he lived out the courage of his convictions. He worked tirelessly, living and breathing his passion— decent housing for the poor. Having given away his millions, he did all this on a salary from Habitat for Humanity of $ 15,000 a year. Last year the Fullers visited our church once again. They didn’t look a bit older or wearier. If anything they had a glow of confidence about them that people have only when they are at peace with who they are. Millard has found perfect peace, and Linda, our hearts go out to you as you learn to travel the road without Millard…for awhile.
— Deb Colton Feb 5, 03:30 PM #
I had the honor to know Millard Fuller and he was a blessing to me. Millard had HEART; genuine, passionate, sacrificial heart – the real kind that loved his neighbor to the point that was happy and willing to slave for his fellow man and GOD. I never encountered him in any manner that was not supportive and encouraging, while he worked tirelessly to teach us to help one another, work together and reach out to those in need here and abroad. He endured persecution, but he persevered with forgiveness and goodness. He resisted his own comfort for the comfort and care of others. He walked in criticism and fraudulent remarks to his character – but only responded with continual self improvement. He gave his all in an effort to help us and bring peace to our world – and his all was good enough for me – in fact, He was one of the best men I have ever known. HE WAS A GREAT AMERICAN! And we will be hard pressed to ever match his willing charitable heart. He modeled a life style that made me want to be a better person and taught ways that lift others while bringing freedom and liberty to the common man. Watching him reminded me of what being an American is all about – Millard knew no enemies, no racial barriers and continually tried to lighten the load of others both physically and financially. He insisted on no profit and no interest relating to his work, trading the pursuit of wealth for the hope and toil of a better world. I am thankful to have known Millard Fuller and to be counted as one of his friends. I mourn our loss and am jealous of the Heavens gain, and my heartfelt prayer hopes the seed of his heart will take root and flourish in the nation that bears GODs name and covenant blessing. This sacred ground calls out for our best and his lead was a great reminder of who we are and the path that is meant for GODs people. In thankful remembrance of Millard Fuller; founder of Habitat for Humanity, Fuller Center for Housing and relentless builder of our great nation.
Matthew Mark Petrin
San Pedro, CA / Nashville, TN 615-269-2694 310-831-9900
— matthew petrin Feb 6, 12:26 PM #
Millard is probably in heaven right now organizing the building of all of our mansions. No one can imagine Millard resting — even in heaven! (We love you and miss you Millard!)
— Mary Hamilton Feb 6, 12:27 PM #
I met Mr. Fuller when West Dallas Community Church was helping Habitat do a 25 homes build in 7 days at Greenleaf Village. He encouraged our church body as he spoke on building hope in a community by building homes using your “Head, Heart, and Hand.” He leaves for us a village of hope.
— Arrvel Wilson Feb 7, 08:49 PM #
I never had the privlege to meet Millard, but his life snd legacy was a true inspiration, have worked with Habitat and will one day have a chance to work with the Fuller Centre. Prayers and Blessings to Linda and the Family.
— w w freeman Feb 9, 09:22 AM #