Wayne D. Tuckerman

1931 - 2023

News story
By Mark Zaborney
Blade Staff Writer

Wayne D. Tuckerman, who with calm and care oversaw Perrysburg's finances and the affairs of council as the city underwent tremendous growth, died March 23 in Munson Medical Center, Traverse City, Mich. He was 91.

He had been in declining health recently, his daughter, Kathy Tuckerman, said.

He and his wife, Jean ""Teansie"" Tuckerman in 2010 moved from Perrysburg to the Traverse City area, where their daughter had relocated in retirement.

Mr. Tuckerman retired in the early 1990s as Perrysburg's finance director and clerk.

""He was thoughtful. He listened well,"" Ms. Tuckerman said. ""He was focused on doing the right thing and doing a good job. He was proud of the city and what he did for the city.""

Mr. Tuckerman managed the city's finances and carried out its financial plans, maintained the books, and as clerk attended every council meeting - calling the roll and keeping the minutes. He was named clerk in January, 1978, and became the first finance director when that job was created in 1984.

""I think everybody had the utmost respect for him,"" said James Bagdonas, who was Perrysburg's service-safety director for years and became its first administrator in 2000. ""He and I had mutual respect for each other. He was always meticulous. We always had clean audits. He and I could bounce ideas off each other, and we would get honest reactions.""

He brought knowledge and his professional background to the role.

""And then he had a bit of what I would say was a calm, easygoing attitude,"" Mr. Bagdonas said.

The city's population grew from nearly 7,700 in 1970 to more than 12,500 in 1990, according to U.S. Census figures.

That brought pressures to provide additional services when ""the revenue didn't necessarily keep pace with the needs,"" Mr. Bagdonas said. ""He was a great asset to keep the city on a solid financial footing.""

Mr. Tuckerman was a kind of parental figure to David Creps, who worked with him and then succeeded him as finance director and clerk of council.

""He had a strong work ethic, and he gave his best,"" Mr. Creps said, who recalled Mr. Tuckerman saying at his retirement that he would miss the deadlines the least. And with property taxes and assessments and bills that have to go out, ""it's one thing to the next.

""I learned a lot from Wayne - you had to stay ahead of the deadlines,"" said Mr. Creps, who retired as finance director in June, 2021. ""I saw the things that gave him headaches and learned from them.

""Wayne was quiet. We all wanted to have a [retirement] party for him. He didn't want any part of that,"" Mr. Creps said. ""That was Wayne Tuckerman. He was personable and a good guy to work for.""

Perrysburg council did honor him with a resolution that proclaimed in part, ""Throughout his career with the city of Perrysburg, Wayne Tuckerman has always exhibited the highest degree of professionalism in performing his duties with the city.""

He was hired in September, 1971, as Perrysburg tax commissioner.

He was born May 24, 1931, to Elsie and Thomas Tuckerman in Spur, Texas. His father had health issues and the family had moved to a warmer climate but returned to their native northwest Ohio. Mr. Tuckerman from the age of 2 grew up in Fremont and was a graduate of Ross High School.

He later received an associate degree from Tiffin University. He was an Army veteran and served stateside during the Korean War. He formerly worked for a bank and for Crown Rubber Co. in Fremont.

He and his wife exercised at Fort Meigs YMCA in Perrysburg and knew the other regulars well. Activity remained important to Mr. Tuckerman in northwest Lower Michigan. He volunteered for the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes and enjoyed hiking trails and helping clean area beaches. He also liked exploring such area small towns as Empire, Glen Arbor, and Frankfort, Mich.

He had two favorite places from which he looked out on Grand Traverse Bay - off Grandview Parkway and on a hill off Wayne Street.

""He loved to go up there and get an overview of the water,"" Ms. Tuckerman said.

Though quiet, ""when he did have something to say, it was witty and on point. He was kind. He always wanted the best for me and mom.""

Surviving are his wife, the former Jean Foos, whom he married Sept. 1, 1954, and daughter, Kathy Tuckerman.

At Mr. Tuckerman's request, no services will be held. Arrangements are by Life Story Funeral Home, Traverse City.

The family suggests tributes to Munson Healthcare Foundation for Munson Medical Center or the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes, friendsofsleepingbear.org/support-the-friends/