Exhibit 10(a)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT dated May 6, 1999 is between H.B. Fuller Company, a Minnesota
corporation ("Fuller") and Raymond A Tucker ("Executive").

The parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Employment and Term

     Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Fuller agrees to
     employ Executive and Executive accepts employment of Fuller commencing on
     July 1, 1999 continuing thereafter until terminated by Fuller or Executive.

2.   Duties

     Executive's title will be Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and you
     will report directly to Fuller's CEO. At Executive's option, you may also
     hold additional positions as offered by Fuller's CEO. Your exact duties and
     responsibilities will be outlined to you by Fuller's CEO.

3.   Compensation

     a.   Base Compensation. For your initial year of employment, your base
          compensation will be $250,000.00, payable in substantially equal
          semi-monthly installments subject to payroll deductions. Your base
          compensation will be reviewed annually and may be adjusted annually by
          Fuller's Compensation Committee, a committee authorized by Fuller's
          Board of Directors.

     b.   Annual Incentive Plan. You are immediately eligible to participate in
          the annual incentive plan with specific performance targets as agreed
          to with the CEO and Compensation Committee. These targets, tied to a
          combination of Fuller and individual performance, will provide you
          with an annual bonus potential equal to a maximum of 75% of base
          compensation for 1999.

          Fuller guarantees a first year Special Payment of 37.5% of base
          compensation, or $93,750 with payment being made as follows:

          (1) $46,875 added to the "Transition Allowance" (covered below) and
          (2) $46,875 to be paid in January, 2000 in conjunction with any
          payments under the 1999 Annual Incentive Plan. The 1999 Annual
          Incentive Plan payment, if any, will be reduced by this Special
          Payment.

     c.   Long-Term Incentive Plan. You will be immediately eligible to
          participate in the long-term incentive plan in accordance with its
          current terms and conditions. Further, you will immediately receive a
          stock option of 10,000 shares and 1,500 performance units. You will be
          required to complete the necessary agreements that are part of these
          plans. You will also be eligible to receive additional awards under
          these plans as provided annually.

     d.   Relocation Package and Transition Allowance. You will be immediately
          eligible to participate in Fuller's relocation policy with a
          guaranteed purchase of your current home at fair market value.

          Transition Allowance, under this plan, will be increased by $46,875
          bringing the total amount payable under Transition Allowance to
          $71,875.

     e.   Retirement Plans, Medical, Dental, Vision and Other Benefits. You will
          become a participant under these plans as provided under the
          applicable plan documents. Additionally, you will participate in the
          Fuller car allowance program, executive physical, and tax and
          financial planning benefits in accordance with current Fuller policy.


     f.   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP"). You will be eligible
          to participate in the SERP with an immediate granting of all years of
          service with your prior employer for purposes of eligibility.
          Additionally, the effect of your annual benefit from your previous
          employer's pension plan is limited to $35,253, which represents 50% of
          the gross benefit payable to you at retirement. All other offsets
          provided under the plan will continue, including all of the applicable
          early retirement factors.

     g.   Deferred Compensation. Fuller is currently investigating various
          options allowing certain deferrals by executives. Fuller will work
          with you to establish a reasonable plan for your use, if and when a
          plan is adopted.

     h.   Change in Control. The current applicable provisions governing change
          in control features apply to you, as provided under the applicable
          plans.

4.   Disclosure of Information

     In your capacity as Chief Financial Officer of Fuller, you will received
     confidential and proprietary information. You agree to hold this
     information in confidence and not disclose such information to others
     except as authorized by Fuller.

5.   Other Agreement

     Executive warrants that, to the best of his knowledge, the execution and
     delivery of this Agreement or the performance of duties contemplated will
     not violate the terms of any other agreement to which he is party or by
     which he is bound.

6.   Miscellaneous.

     This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of Fuller,
     its successors, and assigns and may not be assigned by Executive.

     This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes
     all prior agreements relating to the subject matter hereof, and may only be
     changed by a writing signed by the parties.

     The Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the
     laws of the State of Minnesota. Executive agrees that any disputes arising
     out of or relating to this Agreement shall be brought, if at all, in and
     before a court located in the State of Minnesota to the exclusion of the
     courts of any other state.

Executive                                   H.B. Fuller Company

/s/ Raymond A. Tucker                       By:  /s/ James A. Metts
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Raymond A. Tucker
                                            Its: VP-Human Resources
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