Reuben Wendell Craft

In Loving Memory of Reuben Wendell Craft February 18, 1963 – August 24, 2025

Having successfully fought bladder cancer (urothelial carcinoma) for five years, before it returned, mutated, and metastasized earlier this year, Reuben Wendell Craft, age 62, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 24, 2025, with his loving husband and partner of 23 years Steven Fulk and their two cats Sebastian and Samuel by his side, in hospice care at the couple’s beloved Northwest-side Indianapolis home, where they had spent their happiest years together.

Born February 18, 1963, to the late Howard Marion and Marilyn Helen (Shimp) Craft in St. Marys, Ohio, Reuben attended school there, developing a curiosity and sincerity that endeared him to everyone he met. Upon completing his secondary education and graduating from Memorial High School in 1981, Reuben enlisted in the Navy and served honorably as a Corpsman in locations both domestic and distant, from bases at Great Lakes and San Diego to stations north of the Arctic Circle in Norway; Okinawa, Japan; and Seoul, South Korea. It was during his time at Camp LeJeune, NC, that Reuben was unknowingly exposed to toxic chemicals in the water that would later cause his cancer, and his death.

Following his service in the Navy, Reuben applied to Indiana University to study art, and was accepted. Reuben’s affection for his Alma Mater had sprung years earlier from visiting his sister Sarah during her studies in Bloomington: Reuben spent sun-soaked days rambling about campus, meeting interesting people—even auditing lectures, one given by the author and poet E.B. White indelibly etching itself into the boy’s memory. Through his studies in Art School both here and abroad (in Italy), Reuben met his primary expression in painting, developing a discerning eye and fine hand with the brush. For his work, the Indiana University Herron School of Art and Design conferred the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Painting on August 31, 1996.

Although he attempted to work as an artist for local graphics production companies, Reuben soon found his freest expression by painting privately, for charity events and upon commission, producing works for the Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis Children’s Museum, to benefit the Indianapolis Zoo, and rendering his love for his subjects in acrylic paint.

Reuben’s most enduring creative expression, however, extended beyond the canvas and into data evaluation. Having met Dr. James B. Luther around the turn of the millennium, Reuben Craft collaborated with Jim to create Luther Consulting LLC. The company’s first (and for a time, only) employee, Reuben worked from Jim’s basement in Carmel to develop the company from the ground up—literally. For just shy of 25 years, Reuben was a “company man”, devoting his career to the business, evolution and growth of Luther Consulting, now a nationally recognized public health data evaluation services and software developer/provider. As Director of Supportive Services, a position that developed around and was defined by his contribution to the company, Reuben was the “go-to” guy to comprehend, translate, and resolve any issue that arose anywhere along the data management/evaluation continuum from developer to end user, and from government funding source to state or local agency. Most evident in the company’s work with the Centers for Disease Control since 2012, Reuben’s ability to comprehend the granular detail about the relationships among the federal government and reporting agencies/funding recipients, and the data they collected, reported, and evaluated, combined with his skill in applying that knowledge to resolve conflicts that arose along the way, proved instrumental in the CDC’s choice of Luther Consulting to ensure the integrity of communicable disease data reported from all across the United States, its territories, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Ever curious and sincere in meeting and supporting diverse individuals, from esteemed representatives of the C.D.C. and respected co-workers, to dedicated public health professionals and diverse system end-users, Reuben Craft’s work — even through the difficulties cancer presented — impacted many hundreds of individuals working in the field of public health, and countless members of the public as a result. As of the date he was last cleared to return to work in June, only to be unceremoniously terminated from his job days before his 25th work anniversary, Reuben Craft was proud to be simultaneously the first and the most senior employee of Luther Consulting LLC, among all the talented colleagues whom he loved, respected, and thereafter missed.

Among the changes and chances of life, however, Reuben found his bedrock standing in relationship with Steven. From their first meeting August 22, 2002, Reuben and Steven each knew he had found his other half, and it showed. Although they periodically found themselves (due to some resemblance, and much to their amusement) under suspicion of actually being twin brothers—a theory portending rather a difficult labor for their mothers living in two different states delivering “twins” five and a half years apart—the couple took such statements as compliments about the outward and visible appearance of the inward and spiritual peace between them.

From their passion for native ecology and restoration, to their shared aesthetic grounded in midcentury modern design, to their love for the Episcopal Church that accepted each of them, and both of them together, Reuben and Steve never doubted (as they were of one mind so often) that their unanimity might appear outwardly, too. Likewise, facing the failure of Reuben’s last available treatment against cancer, the two men held fast to their faith that God’s purpose was somewhere in the midst of the tragedy, as yet unrevealed.

Together, Reuben and Steve were members of The Episcopal Church of All Saints in Indianapolis, where in days past Reuben served on the Altar Guild and as Thurifer while Steven held forth from the choir loft. Mindful of concerns relating to chemo and communicable illness, however, and after nearly 23 committed years together—during only the last ten of which was their relationship legally recognized—Reuben Craft and Steven Fulk were married officially on July 7, 2025, at their Indianapolis home in a civil ceremony (by Zoom link) officiated by Kate Sweeney Bell, the Clerk of Marion County, upon her kind and surprise offer to conduct the ceremony. As time and treatment permitted, the two were joined later in July in the blessing of that union by their long-time friend and Priest, Father Steven Giovangelo, former Rector of All Saints. With the hope that Reuben’s illness might yet be overcome, while holding faith that God’s will would prevail in any event, Reuben and Steve’s marriage—after 23 years, an overnight success—became the testament of their enduring love: Proof itself that the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness does not overcome it.

Reuben is survived by his loving husband, Steven Thomas Fulk; siblings, Trelia Joyce (Connie Kelley) Craft, Myron Laverne (Sharon) Craft, Sarah Joann Berry, Howard Marion Craft, Jr. and Joel Harvey (Sue) Craft; nieces, Marilyn E. (“Betsy”) Roberts (husband, Larry); Candice Burden (husband, Mitch); and Samantha Nieter (partner, Dylan); nephews, Nathan Craft (partner, Jenny), Benjamin Craft (wife, Kelly); and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

Family and friends will gather on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Lauck & Veldhof Funeral Home, 1458 S. Meridian St., Indianapolis. A service celebrating Reuben’s life and legacy will follow at 5 p.m. with Fr. Steve Giovangelo officiating.

Memorial contributions in Reuben’s honor may be directed to the Indiana Youth Group and to Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, Inc. Envelopes will be available at the service.

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