Robert John Tucker

Robert J. Tucker

Robert John Tucker, 73, of Unionville, Missouri passed away Monday, March 9, 2009, at the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO.
The son of Manley Valentine and Bessie (Thompson) Tucker, Robert was born January 4, 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On December 18, 1959 in Harlingen, Texas he was united in marriage to Gail Ivy Schmidt.
Robert is survived by his wife, Gail Ivy; one son, Robert Manley Tucker of Kirksville, Missouri; two daughters, Kelley Dene Flint and her companion, Reinhard Lind of Obereisenbach, Germany and Julie Roberta Tucker of Los Angeles, California and three grandchildren, Michael, Daniel and James Flint.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles Tucker.
Robert was reared in Portland, Oregon where he attended school graduating for high school. He attended Walla Walla College and received his BA from the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He was drafted into the United States Army after college. When he was discharged from the Army he joined the United States Air Force in 1958, in the Aviation Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1959. He served as a B52 Navigator, Staff Officer at Strategic Air Command, was involved in contingency planning, assignment as Commandant of U.S. Air Force, Director of Operations and Training. Robert served in Vietnam and received the Gallantry Cross with one device and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Robert retired after 33 years in the Air Force. Since retiring he was in musicals in Herrmann, MO, sang in the church choir and a barber shop quartet in Centerville, IA. He was a member of the Military Officers Association of America and was a life time member of A.F.A.
A Memorial service will be held at the Presbyterian Church in Centrerville, Iowa at 6:30 P. M. Thursday (March 12, 2009).
A Graveside service will be held at 1:15 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2009, at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO. Jack Cady from Herrmann, MO will sing “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “America”. Burial will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO.
The family has suggested memorials to the Hope House, Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, MO and the Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville, MO. Contributions may be left at or sent to the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.

Arrangements under the direction of the
Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepherd Avenue
Kirksville, MO 63501
660-665-2233
www.davisplaylehudsonrimer.com