It is hard to think of a more devoted FCNL volunteer leader than Michael Fuson in the nearly two decades I have worked at FCNL. Tragically, while on vacation with his family, Michael suffered a fatal heart attack on Sunday, August 16. We will miss his wise counsel, deep commitment to the mission of FCNL, and friendly smile.
Michael’s commitment to this community is rooted deep in his family who modeled FCNL leadership, including his parents Bill and Helen’s service as friend in Washington and field secretaries and to his aunt Marian Fuson, who was the first woman to lead as general committee clerk in 1972. He was inspired by her groundbreaking leadership and honored to follow in her footsteps, serving as FCNL’s clerk from 2023 to 2025. At the time of his death, he was nearing the end of his time as assistant clerk, having passed the torch of clerk to Kitty Ufford-Chase.
He served on nearly every FCNL governing committee at one point (or multiple points) since his first committee service in 1990. He led FCNL through some of our most challenging periods, including steering FCNL’s finance committee through the financial collapse of 2008. We could always count on Michael to ask the tough questions in a meeting that helped strengthen decision-making, and ultimately, our community.
I am certain that he taught us more than we can know, but one of the lessons I remember most came from his participation in the recent strategic planning process. He emphasized how important it is that FCNL remain firmly rooted in Quaker process and practice, in addition to focusing on Quaker values.
Michael did much more to ensure the current and future strength of the organization than can be covered here. We will be remembering him at his memorial service in Granville, Ohio, at our upcoming Annual Meeting in November, and long into the future. His legacy lives in the restructuring of our governance that he helped lead over the last few years, in the financial stability we have built, and in the lives of many advocates who have been inspired by his service.
