Friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Dr. Erskine R. Tucker, Sr. on Monday, Aug. 29, 2011 at Central United Methodist Church, which was his church home.
Dr. Tucker passed on the morning of Aug. 23, 2011 a month shy of his 82nd birthday. Born on Sept. 24, 1929, in Ramer, AL to the late Decie and Edna (Moseley) Tucker, he was the younger of two sons.
Erskine attended Clark College in Atlanta, GA and earned a BS degree in Chemistry, after graduation he enlisted in the US Army and was stationed in Germany where he served as a Medical Technologist. Upon returning from the service, he enrolled in the Med Tech program at Meharry Medical College, where he met and married the love of his life Olar Ruth Davis. Ruth was in the nursing program. Once their degrees were earned from Meharry the Tuckers continued their education and career paths, and three children were born along the way.
The young couple moved to Kalamazoo, MI, where their first child Kelley was born. Continuing his educational pursuits, Erskine returned to Nashville where their son, Erskine Jr. (Buddy) was born. Erskine earned his MD from Meharry in 1963 and moved to Milwaukee to begin his internship at the former Milwaukee County Hospital. Their third child, Allyson was born in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee became home where the three children were raised and educated. Erskine’s career developed into his passion as a Pathologist. He worked at St. Luke’s Hospital for several years in his field. In 1970, he was appointed Chief Pathologist and Director of Laboratory Services at St. Francis Hospital–the first African American to hold this position in Milwaukee. He held this position until he retired in 1994.
Retirement allowed him to spend more time with his wife Ruth, his family and friends and to fully pursue his hobbies, which included golf, cheering on the Milwaukee Bucks, gardening, and traveling. He also developed a passion for the art of Bonsai. He also in retirement volunteered his time and served on the boards of organizations including the Wisconsin Conference of the United Methodist Church, Curative Care Network, Milwaukee Area Technical College and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee. He was also an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and the Milwaukee Bonsai Society.
Proceeding Erskine in death along with his parents and older brother Decie, Jr. was his beloved wife of nearly 40 years Ruth who passed in 1997.
While his passions and interests were varied, his greatest pleasure was found in spending time with friends and family and rejoicing in their accomplishments. Erskine is survived by his children, Kelley A. Tucker of Charlotte, NC, Erskine ‘Buddy’ Tucker, Jr. (Marie) of Mequon, WI, and Allyson Tucker-Mitichell (Brian) of New York, NY, grandchildren, Anna-Alycia Tucker, Michael Ramsey Tucker, and Ellington Tucker Kai Mitchell. He is also survived by a host of family and friends.
Interment was held at Wisconsin Memorial Park under the direction of Northwest Funeral Home.