Gardiner Luttrell Tucker

1925 - 2021
A scientist, visionary, innovator, administrative leader, and reflective listener, Gardiner Luttrell Tucker, passed away peacefully in November 2021 while with family. He was a loving and beloved husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, and uncle. He was predeceased by his wife Helen Harwell after 54 years of marriage. Dr. Tucker is survived by his daughter, Patricia Leigh Tucker of Seattle, Washington (Robert Duisberg); his sons, Gardiner L. Tucker, Jr., of Loveland, Colorado (Marcie), and James B. Tucker of Ellenton, Florida (Monica); grandchildren Ryan Tucker, of New Haven, Connecticut, Samuel Tucker of Ellenton, Florida, Leah Tucker (David) Hannibal of Bradenton, Florida, and Anna Tucker of Ellenton, Florida; and great-grandson James W. Hannibal of Bradenton, Florida.

Dr. Tucker was born in New York City in 1925 to Ernest E. Tucker, D.O., and Katherine Luttrell Tucker. He graduated from the Birch-Wathen School in New York City (1943), and Columbia University (1947) with a B.A. with honors and special distinction in math and physics. He earned his Ph.D. in Physics from Columbia University (1953). Dr. Tucker served as Director of Research, IBM, Yorktown Heights, N.Y., 1963-67; Deputy and then Principal Deputy Director of Research and Engineering, U.S. Department of Defense, Washington, D.C., 1967-70. Dr. Tucker served as US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis, 1970-73; and Assistant Secretary-General for Defense Support of NATO, Brussels, Belgium, 1973-76. He was Vice President of Technology, International Paper Company, NYC, 1976-85, and served on the Board of Directors, Motorola, Schaumburg, IL, 1980-96. He authored scientific publications and patents, and received the Distinguished Civil Service Award, U.S. Department of Defense, 1972. He was a member of American Physical Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Sigma Pi Sigma.

As Assistant Secretary of Defense, Dr. Tucker played a key role in the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union in the early 1970's. His subsequent work at NATO emphasized technical cooperation among member states. NATO's Secretary-General, Joseph Luns, stated, "To all of these challenges Dr. Tucker has responded with brilliance, tact, and hard drive . . . . I know of no senior official at NATO headquarters who commands greater respect than does Dr. Tucker, and that respect proceeds from everyone's recognition of the absolute integrity he displays in achieving impressive results."

In his personal life, Dr. Tucker loved classical music, especially Beethoven, filling his family's home with music. He maintained a lifelong interest in improving education through supporting teachers and students. He was beloved by friends and family for his unfailingly gentle and kind nature, and genial good humor. A gifted storyteller, he also enjoyed working on projects with his grandchildren, showing them creative approaches to addressing challenges. Throughout his life, Dr. Tucker took delight in creating innovative solutions to challenges from global political problems to complex wood-working projects.

Donations honoring his legacy and supporting his passion for science education may be made in his name to the National Center for Science Education at ncse.secure.force.com/donate, or through a gift to a charity of your choice.