Kurt William Fuller

July 31, 1954 – August 31, 2024

Kurt William Fuller, age 70, passed away peacefully at his home on August 31, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Kurt is survived by his loving wife, Dee Dee; children Christie Alighire (John), Wendy VanCleve (Matt), Andy Fuller (Brittany), and Angie Knickerbocker (Patrick); grandchildren Mackenzie Spatafore (Jon), Allie Woody, Bailey Woody, Averie Alighire, Neeko Alighire, Elliott Fuller, Sally VanCleve, and Tatum Fuller; great-grandchildren Harley Jacko, Vinnie Spatafore, Zara Jacko, and Louie Spatafore.

Kurt was preceded in death by his father, Fred Fuller, and his granddaughter, Lucy VanCleve. He is also survived by his mother, Verna Fuller, and his sister, Kay Boka (Bruce).

Born and raised in Clinton, Iowa, Kurt went on to have a remarkable career in the insurance industry, where he was esteemed as an innovator and entrepreneur. Beginning as a field underwriter after earning his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa in 1976, Kurt soon moved to Michigan and held multiple leadership positions at Citizens Insurance. Kurt earned his MBA from the University of Michigan in 1984.

Throughout his career, Kurt would found and invest in multiple ventures. Of note, in 1996, Kurt founded Michigan Insurance Company and, in 2012, Kurt created a platform that ultimately included Grand River Insurance Agency, Stone Falls Agency, and Bridge Excess Solutions, among others. In recognition of his contributions to the industry, Kurt was inducted into the Michigan Insurance Hall of Fame in 2023.

Kurt was a natural leader who surrounded himself with difference-makers. He was a brilliant strategist who never stopped learning and was unafraid to challenge conventional perspectives. He was unapologetic in his convictions, confident in his own skin, and modest to a fault. Kurt was a champion of self-reliance, accountability, and independent thinking.

In both his personal and professional lives, he leaves behind a legacy of the pursuit of freedom and independence. Through his words and actions, he inspired countless others to think differently, bet on themselves, take the road less traveled, and live life on their own terms.

Kurt was a voracious reader and a passionate fan of the New York Yankees, the Boston Bruins, the Green Bay Packers, and the Iowa Hawkeyes, his alma mater.

He was a devoted husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, business leader, teammate, and friend. Kurt will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him.

Visitation will be held from 5:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel at 2800 Burton St. S.E., with memorial service to be held at 11:00am on Friday, September 6th at the same location, with a luncheon to follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mises Institute, https://mises.org/giving/now