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Edward F. Tuck

1931 - 2017

Edward F. Tuck obituary, 1931-2017, Waxhaw Nc, CA

BORN

1931

DIED

2017

Edward Tuck Obituary

July 5, 1931 - June 26, 2017 Edward F. Tuck Jr., the man who was told by almost 100 investors that the world had no need for a handheld GPS, but who nevertheless started the company Magellan as well as several other companies, died June 26, 2017, just before his 86th birthday. While running his small venture capital firm, Tuck who had a commercial pilot's license would fly himself to meetings. In poor weather though, he was often re-routed when trying to land at small airports that lacked the equipment needed to land through the clouds. What Tuck wanted was a mobile GPS device that could tell him where he was in the air as well as on land, or sea-except such a device did not exist. So Tuck conceived of a company called Magellan and assembled a team to build what would become the world's first portable GPS device. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Tuck showed an early interest in radio and telecommunications, earning his Commercial Radio and Telephone license at age 15. He started working as a radio operator at the age of 16 at the KWTO radio station in Springfield, MO, and then put himself through college working as a radio announcer at KTTR in Rolla, MO, graduating in 1953 from what is now the University of Missouri at Rolla with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. In 1957, Ed and his new wife, the artist Janet Tuck, moved to the Silicon Valley and built a house on the coast with their own hands, charging it on their Sears credit card. It was here that Ed followed his childhood dream and learned to fly and where he and a colleague started his first company, Kebby Microwave. Tuck became a VP at ITT overseeing telecommunications projects after selling Kebby Microwave and moved on to apply his interest in communications technology in a variety of startups and existing companies that made everything from Mickey Mouse phones to automated switchboard attendants (as in "Press 2 for billing, 3 for tech. support ¿"), optical character scanners and other things we now can't do without. After founding Magellan, Ed set out to launch another of his ideas. He wanted the people of the world to have phone and internet access no matter their location on the earth and had the idea to use low earth orbit satellites to do it. The company was called Teledesic, and Ed almost made this ambitious project a reality before the telecommunications segment of the financial markets collapsed in the 1990s. Now, years later, several companies are trying their hand at using low earth orbit satellites to provide space-based internet access as well. Tuck continued to found and help start a series of mostly successful technology companies that focused on improving people's lives in some fashion and was a director of other closely-held and public companies such as TriQuint Semiconductor Corporation. He had served on more than 30 boards of directors. Always learning and ever curious, he was known for his integrity and for making fair deals for the entrepreneurs he worked with, for promoting women to management positions, for teaching the ways of startups and authoring several articles on startups and telecommunications. Frustrated with the poor ethics of some in his industry, he authored a set of guidelines for business called "Ed's Rules" that was passed around and posted on cubicle walls before "going viral" was a thing. He is listed as sole or co-inventor on fifteen patents and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Engineering degree from the University of Missouri. He was a Senior Member of the IEEE, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, a Professional Member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, an Independent Telephone Pioneer and a registered professional engineer. The prototype of the Magellan unit now resides at the Time and Navigation exhibit at the Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. and Ed was recently inducted into the Consumer Technology Association Hall of Fame. Ed was still working at his office every day until the age of 82, while also caring for his wife Janet who had Alzheimer's disease. In a soon to be published book, "A Sense of Direction," he said, "I would give my life so that my children don't have Alzheimer's. Janet, my lovely wife of half of century, suffers from this dreadful disease." Along the way, he made many beloved friends, influenced many lives, pissed off a few people but made the world a little bit better place. If future generations never learn to read a map, Tuck will reluctantly accept part of the blame for that. Ed and Janet passed on their passions for art and engineering to their daughters Jean, an industrial designer, and Ann, an engineer/artist. With kindness and patience, Ed taught them the art of problem-solving, risk-taking, and overcoming the frustrations of the world to do the things one sets out to do. Ed passed away two and a half months after Janet, and just before their 60th anniversary. He is survived by daughter Jean and her husband Michael McGregor and sons Alec, Neil, and Gram; daughter Ann and her husband Dan Baden and children Luke and Jill. Born July 5, 1931, to Edward F. Tuck and Jeanette Florence Lewis, he lived in Memphis TN, Springfield, MO, El Granada, CA, Darien, CT, Cordova, TN, Westport, CT, Bellevue, WA, West Covina, CA, and Waxhaw, NC. He spent the last years of his life living with his family in North Carolina.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Los Angeles Times from Jul. 3 to Jul. 16, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Edward Tuck

Not sure what to say?





Kathy Phillips

May 26, 2023

Here it is 2023 and I am finally framing my copy of Ed's rules. (if you don't know what this is, please research it! Every person should live by these simple yet nearly ever followed rules!) I was so fortunate to know and work with Ed for nearly 20 years. He gave me the opportunity to be an involved parent in my children's lives and also make money. There wasn't a day that I didn't enjoy going to work and learning from him. He gave me so much more than a paycheck. He was a mentor and when I look back on the time, I look back on those memories fondly. I also give Ed credit for my daughter becoming an Engineer. I can remember one break in which she brought home a project and she had an idea on how she wanted to accomplish it, yet was not sure how to complete it. Needless to say, the two of them discussed it at length and with his guidance they were out in the hall with different color yarn to complete the experiment. His interest in this experiment really showed my daughter that Engineering was something she really wanted to study. She also has a framed picture of Ed's rules in her home office but has also shared it with other positions that she has held. Ed, you and Janet sure left a mark on my families life and for that I am forever grateful! I also want to thank Jean for introducing me to her father and suggesting I could be of help in his office. Those years truly flew by! Rest in paradise Ed and Janet. You are missed!

Burton Lee

August 7, 2017

I met Ed several years ago (probably around 2008), at his home in Los Angeles, when I was working on Space Angels Network, where Ed was a founding member investor. He was gracious, charming, knowledgeable, smart, humorous, kind, generous. Ed, until I read your full life history here, I did not fully grasp the breadth and depth of your contributions to the world and our country. Thank you for being a leader and example for the rest of us. I am glad that I met you and knew you. Burton Lee, Stanford University, Silicon Valley. [email protected]

D S

July 10, 2017

I would like to send my condolences to Tuck family, for the loss of your beloved Edward. Its times like these when the loving promises of our Heavenly father can bring your family comfort and can even soften some of the pain that you are feeling deep in your hearts. -1st Thessalonians 4:13.14

B D

July 10, 2017

My condolences to family and friends. Take time to grieve and celebrate a life well-lived. The loss of a loved one is truly difficult no matter how long we have them with us, but remember Almighty God promises to be near to all those calling on him (Psalm 145:18)

July 10, 2017

Our condolences to the family. May God's love and comfort strengthen you during this time in your life. John 3:16

P S

July 10, 2017

My condolences to the the family of Mr.Edward Tucker. He gave the world a wonderful gift. May your heart be comforted because God also gave us a gift that makes its possible for us to be with our love ones again.(John 3:16).

July 10, 2017

Almighty God promises a future of peace and happiness and hope. No more tears, No more death.

(Jeremiah 29:11)

STOCKBRIDGE, GA.

July 10, 2017

Please accept my condolences. Know that the God of comfort feels your pain and sorrow. Isaiah 61:1,2 reads: "He sent me (Jesus Christ) to bind up the brokenhearted, ... and To comfort all who mourn, ..."

July 10, 2017

May you all have the strenght you need at this time of sorrow, Phillipians 4:13.- Philadelphia.

July 10, 2017

May the God of all comfort strengthen the family during this time of deep sorrow. Those who pass on, God keeps in his memory because they are precious in his eyes.
My condolences. (Psalms 116:15)

Deek

July 8, 2017

I didn't know him but what an obit. This man really made a mark on the world. Congrats and condolences to his loved ones.

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