Edmund Harrison Rucker M.D. Jr.

About

University of Virginia

Edmund Rucker Obituary

SPARTANBURG, SC - Edmund Harrison Rucker Jr., MD, 85, passed away of natural causes on Monday, March 16, 2015 at his Spartanburg, SC residence. Dr. Rucker was born 9 June 1929 in Richmond, Virginia, to Edmund Harrison Rucker and Elizabeth Harrison Rucker. He attended St. Christopher's Prep School, where he excelled in academics and athletics. He graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Chi Phi fraternity and Raven Society, and a letterman on the varsity swim team. He was a graduate of the University of Virginia Medical School, and completed internship and his residency in Anesthesiology during his six year service as a Lt. Commander in the United States Navy. Dr. Rucker was a practicing physician for many years at hospitals in Newport News, and after a well-deserved retirement here, moved close to family in Spartanburg five years ago. He is survived by his wife Margery Louise Davidson Rucker of Spartanburg, originally of Hinsdale, Illinois. Married 23 June 1951, they have four children and two grandchildren: Edmund Harrison Rucker III of Paris, France; Christopher Davidson Rucker, MD and wife Jeannie, of Spartanburg; Elizabeth Gail Rucker and her daughter Emily Davidson Bender of Blacksburg, Virginia; and Bruce McDowell Rucker, wife Jeannine, and their daughter Mayfair Rucker of Berkley, California. He is also survived by his sister Marguerite Rucker Ellett of Richmond, Virginia. Dr. Rucker was an avid historian with a particular interest in the War Between the States, and accompanied by a succession of beloved beagles, had visited practically every battlefield and cemetery to study the campaigns of the Southern soldier. Dr. Rucker's earthly remains are to be cremated and returned to dust according to his wishes, but loving memories of his life will linger in our hearts.

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

Published by Daily Press on Mar. 19, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Edmund Rucker

10 Entries

Paul & Erma Lehman

March 20, 2015

To the Rucker Family,
We've missed you as neighbors here on Hertzler Rd and now you are missing Edmund, the centerpiece of your family.
Sending our love and condolences.
Paul & Erma Lehman

Roxanne Huckstep

March 20, 2015

Working with Dr. Rucker in surgery at RRMC was a blessing and an education. Thanks to Dr. Rucker, I learned more about the Civil War and America history than any school. He was the original Ancestry.com and Wikipedia rolled into one about the Civil War. His calls to Ben brought smiles. Dr. Rucker brought expertise and dignity to the patients in his care. His family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Ed Rucker and "Cleburne" (2008)

March 20, 2015

I would like to add a photo of Ed and his beloved dog "Cleburne" to my earlier message.
John Wiley

March 20, 2015

Dear Margery, Elizabeth, and the Rucker Family,
The Wiley family is saddened to see word today of Ed's passing. We enjoyed so much the many visits and conversations with him and Margery in the years they lived just down the way from us on Hertzler Road . I will remember Ed as in the picture with his obituary-- a welcoming smile, a great sense of humor, and always ready with one of his rousing "stories". I never saw him really "down", and usually never without his beloved "Cleburne" along with him in the yard or on walks. From his days playing football in school to his Navy days and tours as a Doctor of Anesthesiology at various facilities, to his exploits visiting dozens of cemeteries to do hundreds of gravestone "rubbings" of Confederate fallen soldiers, he really had some "tales to tell" . I missed all those visits and talks with him after their move to Spartanburg.
He was always so gracious and ready to welcome -- even when I'd stop by and he was sunning and reading out back on his deck in his "scivvies", he had time for a visit and chat with me--young Grandson Lucas, too, who was with me at times. He once gave me a tour of his hundreds of "rubbings" and his library of "Civil War" literature, and I know that he considered he was doing valuable preservation, especially of the gravestone data, as many of them were seriously deteriorating with the ravages of inattention , weather and time.
Please accept our deepest sympathies at Ed's passing.
John and Donna Wiley, and Grandson Lucas.
118 Hertzler Road, Shore Park, Newport News, VA.

Michael Saverino

March 19, 2015

So sorry Chris & Jeannie

Pat Perkins

March 19, 2015

I too worked with Dr. Rucker in surgery at Riverside. It was always a great day when I got assigned to the room he was working in. One Saturday I called him in (he was not on call) brought his young daughter with him & I gave her a pair of purple surgical gloves. My love & prayers are with all of you.
Pat Perkins

March 19, 2015

Lou Taylor

March 19, 2015

Dear Mrs. Rucker,
I was so sorry to hear about Dr. Rucker. I worked with him for many years at Riverside and will never forget what a wonderful person and doctor he was. Prayers for you and your family.

March 19, 2015

I HAD THE PRIVILEDGE OF WORKING WITH ED RUCKER IN SURGERY AT RIVERSIDE REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND WE HAD WONDERFUL TALKS ABOUT SO MANY SUBJECTS. HE ALWAY'S MADE ME AND OTHER'S SMILE. MAY HIS MEMORY ALWAY'S BE FOR A BLESSING AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ED TO OUR COUNTRY AND TO THE MANY PATIENTS THAT YOU CARED FOR AT THE HOSPITAL'S THAT YOU WERE ASSIGNED TO.

March 18, 2015

Sorry for your loss. I did not know Edmund Rucker. I have met Dr. Chris Rucker and have spoken to him as I too was a Rucker before I married. I loved reading that Edmund was a historian and visited all the battlegrounds. My husband loves to do that too. I am sure he was a well of information for the Rucker family history. Again may the Lord comfort your family during this time. Sincerely, Lynn Rucker Ferrell

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results