Robert Paul Tucker

Robert Paul Tucker, aged 59, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Hot Springs Thursday March 1, 2018. Born in Little Rock, July 3, 1958, Robert graduated from Hall High School in 1976 where he was senior class vice-president. After completing his freshman year at Vanderbilt University he returned to Arkansas to pursue and complete a bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture design from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. He participated in the European Studies program through Texas A&M University in Florence, Italy and upon returning to the states went on to further his studies at The Ohio State University graduating with a Master of Landscape Architecture. Upon graduation he joined the urban planning and design service of Chicago's world renowned Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Robert later moved on to work for the City of Chicago, Department of Planning and Development as Urban Design Coordinator designing two downtown parks. He was especially proud of his work designing pocket parks in Chicago. After several years of weathering Chicago's harsh winters he headed to Southern California where he worked for the Los Angeles and San Diego School districts, the California Department of Parks and Recreation and City of San Diego as a development project manager. In 2007, he repatriated to Arkansas accepting a position as a director with the City of Pine Bluff where seeing the need for historic preservation he successfully persuaded the Mayor and City Council to create the Downtown Historic District. In 2013 Robert joined Tri-Lakes Metropolitan Planning Organization in Hot Springs as the Study Director. For the majority of his life, Robert had special affinity for municipal landscape projects and historic preservation. He was a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) for 24 years. Robert was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy Jean Cauthron Tucker (Dot) and Dr. Jack A. Tucker Sr. He is survived by his sister Janis E. Hill of Ovilla, Texas; brother, Jack A. Tucker, Jr. (Bobbie), of Little Rock,; nephew and nieces Mallory A. Horton of Ovilla Texas, Dorothy E. Luna (Jeff) of Golden, Colo., Elizabeth L. Tucker of Little Rock, Ark., and Martha E.T. Hill of Ovilla, Texas; as well as great-nephews, Nathaniel Chicas of Tulsa, OK, and Noah Luna, of Golden, Colo. and his little dog, Major. Robert, known simply as "Tucker" to most of his friends, was anything but simple. He was an extraordinary man who could entertain everyone with his fascinating extensive knowledge of art, architecture, history and politics. Robert offered a unique, fresh perspective on any subject and was usually spot on. An enthusiastic social animal, Robert loved to host a party, whether at his parents' home (of course they were out of town) during high school at Hall, or on his beloved Lake Hamilton in later years. If Robert threw the party, you wanted to be there. Always the lively story teller, Robert was most gracious, genteel, elegant and cultured. He also had a high sense of justice and fairness. To tell just one anecdote showing this, when one of his new classmates came to school as a third grader with a stuttering problem, no one would talk to this person, except Robert, who approached him saying "I will be your friend!" In Junior High football, if a friend told Robert another person had been mean to them, Robert would be sure to set the bad guy straight, mowing them down in the finest bruiser lineman fashion. He was a principled and courageous man. He brought beauty and life to his work and home. Robert was a true and loyal friend and shared the love of scores of childhood friends that continues to this day. We are deeply heartbroken. Although no longer here in the physical sense, we all imagine him in spirit at the lake, mixing a cocktail, reminiscing, brushing his special barbeque sauce on the chicken and readying the party barge for an evening excursion. We love you Robert you will always be with us. Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Caruth-Hale Funeral Home, 155 Section Line Road, Hot Springs, Ark. 71913. In lieu of flowers at the ceremony please make a donation in Robert's name to the Humane Society of Garland County, 1249 Ault Loop, Lonsdale, Ark. 72087. For those of you that wish to join after the ceremony there will be a brief gathering on Lake Hamilton on the property where Robert was building his dream home. Flowers or remembrances at the lake are welcome. Directions will be available at the funeral home. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.