THE REV. DR. ROBERT H. TUCKER

12/03/1932 - 10/06/2023

The world lost a fine human being on Friday, October 6, 2023, when Robert Henry Tucker died peacefully at home at the age of 90.

Bob was born December 3, 1932 in St. Paul MN to Erle and Laverne Tucker. He graduated from Central High School, after which he briefly attended the U. of MN. He worked for 3M and, for two summers, was waterfront director for a YMCA camp. While searching for what he would do with his life, he became active in a young adult group at Olivet Congregational Church. The minister, Keenan Sheldon, saw in Bob the abilities, gifts and graces needed to be a minister and encouraged Bob to explore this possibility by spending a summer as supply minister for a small rural church in Jay Em WY.

In 1952 he enrolled in Yankton (SD) College, taking a full load of courses while working three jobs to pay for his education. A surprise gift from the Jay Em church allowed him to finish and graduate in 1955. He then enrolled in Chicago Theological Seminary.

While at Yankton College he met Margaret Neufeld. They were married June 8, 1956 and moved to Chicago, where Bob completed his seminary education. Their first child, William Alan was born Sept. 1957. Following graduation, in a ceremony at Olivet Church, Bob was ordained a minister in the United Church of Christ.

Bob was called to serve the First Congregational Church in De Smet SD, along with a church in the rural area of Drakola. Every Sunday he would preach to the Drakola congregation at 9:30, then race back to De Smet for an 11:00 service, re-doing the sermon in his mind as he traveled. A daughter, Amy Beth, arrived August 1960. After six happy years serving these congregations, Bob resigned, to become a UCC missionary teacher in Turkey.

After six months of training, the family sailed to Turkey. From Istanbul they traveled by train to their new home – a junior high school in the village of Talas – Talas Orta Okul. Bob worked in administration and taught English classes. Margaret taught music and home-schooled their children. While in Talas, their third child, Andrew Wesley, was born in Istanbul November 1966. After two and a half years, the Tuckers moved to Tarsus, teaching in Tarsus Amerikan Koleji for two years, after which they returned to the U.S.

Bob returned to the U. of MN, earning a Masters degree in Library Science. He thought he would become a seminary librarian, but a call from First Congregational Church in Houston changed his plans. After a weekend meeting church members and preaching, he was called to be the minister of this congregation. Thus began 28 years of satisfying ministry. He found he had a congregation of inquisitive, educated and enthusiastic members who wanted to learn, discuss, and do good work in this community and the wider world. During Bob’s 28-year tenure more than twenty people were ordained or commissioned, the congregation built or helped build four Habitat houses, began a relationship between Christians and Muslims, was active in The Metropolitan Organization, and produced a hymnal now used across the country. Also, Bob earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary, New Brighton MN. During his last years as Sr. Minister of FCC, Bob guided the church in becoming an Open and Affirming congregation.

Bob also served on boards of several community organizations, including Red Cross, Houston Area Women’s Center and Justice for Children.

In ‘retirement’ Bob became Executive Director of the Foundation for Contemporary Theology for twelve years, as well as an Interim Minister at Colonial UCC in Prairie Village KS and First Unitarian Church in Houston. He often taught adult classes at Memorial Drive UMC and Covenant Church, as well as classes at the Women’s Institute and Rice U.’s evening courses. For seven years, he preached once a month at Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Galveston County.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents and brother Roger. He is survived by wife Margaret, children William, Amy and Andrew, son-in-law Paul Masschelin, grandsons Steven and Peter Masschelin, sister-in-law Julie Neufeld, brother-in-law Warren Neufeld and wife Pam, nephew Nathan Neufeld and niece Tyler Neufeld.

Many thanks to Travelle Joiner from Harbor Hospice and Zoila De Gomez from Angels on Earth for their kind and gentle care of Bob in his last days.

A memorial service will be held on December 30 at First Congregational Church. Memorial gifts may be directed to First Congregational Church General Fund, the FCC Endowment’s Robert H. Tucker Fund or Justice for Children.