Richard D. Rucker Sr., DDS

RUCKER, Richard D., Sr., DDS, died April 30, 2009. Richard was born in Winona, Minnesota on August 12, 1918 to Franklin and Carrie Smith Rucker. They moved to Tucson in 1923 with his brother Edgar. He graduated from Tucson Senior High School and attended the University of Arizona. He was accelerated through University of Southern California College of Dentistry due to World War II. He served as an Army dentist on Amchitka Island in the Aleutians, one island away from the Japanese. He married Marilyn Preiss on October 18, 1943. After discharged as a major, he practiced dentistry in Tucson. He is survived by his significant other Blanche White; sons, Richard Jr. (Helen) and Ronald; grandchildren Brigit-Mary Hannula (Jim Cochener), Seth Hannula (Katy Lawton), Michael Rucker, Joshua Rucker; and great-grandchildren Murphy, Reilly and Finn Hannula, Chloe and Caroline Cochener. Memorials to donors' choice. Memorial service 10:00 a.m., Monday, May 11, 2009 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 8051 E. Broadway with Rev. Hal Cowart officiating. Military Honors by Ft. Huachuca Select Honor Guard. Arrangements by Bring's Broadway Chapel, 6910 E. Broadway