At Andover he was class and student council president and captain of wrestling and cross country, graduated cum laude, and won an English Exchange Scholarship to Harrow School before entering Princeton in his sophomore year.
Majoring in chemistry, he wrote an experimental thesis on lubrication, a lifelong interest. Tucker joined Cap and Gown and was active in varsity lacrosse and wrestling. Recipient of the McCay Prize in Physical Chemistry, he graduated with highest honors.
He earned a master’s degree in chemical engineering in 1956 and a Ph.D. in biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology in 1959.
In 1958 Tucker married Nancy Hannon. After four years with S.B. Penick Co., he joined his brother Bob in Pittsburgh at Gordon Lubricating Co. to develop and manage Gordon Terminal Service Co. for more than 50 years.
Tucker and Nancy raised four children: Chris, Amy ’84, Tim, and Sara. Following Nancy’s untimely death in 1979, Tucker married Kathryn “Katie” Edson in 1980 and welcomed her six children: Jim, Kris, Sarah, Mike, Annie, and Katy. Tucker and Katie enjoyed fishing, hiking, and traveling into their 80s.
Tucker is survived by Katie and nine children, 30 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy, and son Christopher.