Donald E Fulton

Donald E Fulton, Engineer

Don Fulton passed away peacefully at his home in Stoneham on May 5 after a lengthy and courageous battle with multiple myeloma. He was 76.

Don was born and raised in Everett, Ma. He was an exceptional student at every level and later was admitted to and graduated from M. I. T. as an electrical engineer. He furthered his education at Northeastern and received his MS in 1966.

Don was enormously proud of the work he did as an engineer; first at Draper Labs in Cambridge and later at Imec, a company he co-founded. He held multiple patents some of which paved the way to the development of all electric cars.

Don was also a prolific blogger. He wrote long detailed essays on an incredible range of subjects. His work was completely original; always thoughtful and nuanced.  The files live on under the name “Twinkle Toes Engineering”-a name derived from his lifelong interest in ballet.

Don’s real passion, however, was the theater. Her was a regular visitor, usually in the front row, at over 30 different local venues, all of which he will continue to support through the   “Don Fulton Charitable Trust”.

Living for over 40 years in Stoneham, Don took a special interest in the Stoneham Theater (now the Greater Boston Stage Company). He saw hundreds of shows there and also was a major financial supporter. In April of this year, he was recognized by the theater as their person of the year. His spirit will live on there as each year a new play is presented as part of the “Don Fulton New Play Project”

Don leaves a brother, Bill and his wife Darcy of Topsfield. Also a  niece,  Diona of Santa Barbara , Ca. and a nephew John and his wife Natalie of Beverly Hills, Ca. He was very proud of them  and loved them  all  very  much.

A   private remembrance will be held at a later date.

Letter from a  friend:
Donald Fulton was a dear and beloved friend and companion in our love and devotion to the theater arts...We have accompanied each other in the front row of the Stoneham Theater, presently known as The Greater Boston Stage Company for so many long wonderful and joyful years enjoying every season's productions.  He was a patron of the arts at multiple theater venues throughout the Boston area and was a generous and enthusiastic donor to support the artistic community in just about every theater he attended.  Don was the first individual to make a major contribution to his home town under the banner name of The Donald Fulton New Play Project.  Don's bequest will bring new works of art to the stage for years to come that, otherwise, would not reach a wide audience in a professional theater.  Don was a quiet and reserved man, never seeking any measure of celebrity in his life.  As time went by, while he was struggling with his illness, he was very open and candid about his prognosis.  He then proceeded to put a great deal of energy and thought into how he could best endow his charitable causes and make a contribution to help others achieve success in their endeavors.  As noted, Don was an unassuming, reserved and private man with a brilliant mind who made many contributions to the scientific world with extensive and inventive theory, but never sought personal recognition or public accolades for any of his original thought and magnificent inventions.  Don was a scholar and a gentleman of quiet elegance who made a difference in the lives of those who knew him, who loved him, admired him , and were inspired by him.  To rest my dear and beloved friend, Don.  I will be seeing you and remembering you in  all those familiar places and think of the good times in life we shared together.  Your dear friend...Maureen Coffin