Samuel H. Tucker, 86, formerly of Chestnut Hill, a pediatric neurologist, died April 7 at his home in Galena, Md., where he had been living since 1996.
Dr. Tucker retired in 2000 after 38 years as a pediatric neurologist at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, specializing in epilepsy. He also taught for 20 years as an associate professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
Raised in Chestnut Hill, he was a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and Princeton University, majoring in astronomy. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School and completed a year’s residency at Pennsylvania Hospital and Queens Hospital in London.
Dr. Tucker served in the U.S. Naval Reserves, retiring with the rank of captain.
He loved sailing, architecture and photography and had a lifelong interest in raising exotic birds.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Robin Stockton Tucker. Because of his interest in astronomy, he and his wife chose to be married on shipboard on the Black Sea during the 20th century’s last total eclipse of the sun on August 11, 1999. This inspired the ship’s first ever on-board wedding with the captain giving Mrs. Tucker away.
He is also survived by sons, Alden S. Tucker, of Newport, R.I., and Dr. Robertson B. Tucker, of Philadelphia; their mother, Martha; a twin sister, Elizabeth Tucker Ripley, of Philadelphia; stepdaughters Susan Laquintano, of Galena, Md., Jacqueline Moses, of Earleville, Md., Crissa Robin Carroll, of Kempton, Pa., and Ellisa Beth Budnick, of Rome, Ga.; a stepson, Matthew Justus, of Cecilton, Md.; one grandson; and 14 step-grandchildren whom he helped raise.
A family service will be held at a later date at Ivy Hill Cemetery in the Cedarbrook section of Philadelphia. Memorial donations may be made to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD. 21403. – WF
