Richard Michael Tucker, MD

Class Year

1986

Affiliation

Housestaff

Posted on: February 2, 2021

Richard Michael Tucker, MD, died early Saturday morning, May 26, 2007 in Wenatchee, WA from injuries he sustained when the car he was driving was hit by a suspected drunk driver. Richard leaves behind a lifelong legacy of kindness and care and was a husband, a son, a father and a brother.

He was physician and confidante to many. He was brilliant and funny and will be sorely missed by so many. Richard was born to Gordon and Maureen Tucker on July 2, 1956 in Seattle, WA. From an early age Richard showed an insatiable curiosity for the world around him. By the time he was six years old he was reading encyclopedias and dictionaries. His interests were broad and he was forever trying to bring his dreams to reality, and more often than not, succeeding. When he was nine years old he decided that he was going to be a doctor. Richard attended St. Matthew’s Elementary School and Blanchet High School where he graduated valedictorian of his class. Being gifted in both academics and sports, Richard was offered and accepted a one year scholarship to Brown University. He then returned to his native Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington and University of Washington Medical School, Phi Beta Kappa, Suma Cum Laude and member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society.

He met his wife of 28 years, Malia, while they were both attending the University of Washington. They married and had two children, Jeannie and Madeline. They chose Wenatchee, WA to live, work, and raise their family.

Richard was a pillar to his community where he was the medical director for quality and education at the Wenatchee Valley Medical Center and an infectious disease specialist. He was also vice-chairman of the medical center’s board of directors. He started the medical center’s research department in the 1990’s and for many years worked with people suffering from infectious diseases and the underserved and underprivileged. He was committed to his patients, his community, his family and his friends. In addition to his many local commitments, he was working with an African Relief organization to develop a vaccine program and health care delivery system for villages in Africa ravaged by AIDS and HIV.

Richard was a good man, and had a good soul. He lived not only the length of his life, but the width of it as well. Richard is preceded in death by his father, Gordon Tucker. He is survived by his wife, Malia, and two children, Jeannie and Madeline, his mother, Maureen Tucker, brother, Gordon (Kathy), sisters, Peggy Tucker, Eileen Kitchen (Gary), Mary Gregersen (Scott), Theresa Novion (Rod) and numerous nieces and nephews.

The UVA Medical Alumni Association recently learned of the death of Richard Michael Turner, MD ’86, who passed away in 2007. We have shared his obituary above and extend our condolences to his family and those who knew him.