Professor, School of Architecture
2004
Bio:
Professor Tucker began his academic teaching career at the University of Illinois as an Instructor in Design (1959-1960) then he moved to the University of Florida as an Instructor in Design where he taught for four years (1960-1964). He began his career at the University of Detroit as an Assistant Professor of Design, School of Architecture, from 1964-1967. From 1970-1972 he served as an Adjunct Professor in Design, 1972-1973 he taught at the rank of Associate Professor. Tucker resigned his university positon to become the Head, Department of Architectural and Environmental Studies, Cranbrook Academy of Art from 1973-1975. He returned to the University of Detroit as a Visiting Professor earning a full-time tenure track Professor position in 1976 where he taught until his retirement in 2003.
In former Dean of the School of Architecture, Bruno Leon, letter of supported for Professor Tucker’s emeritus nomination, Dean Leon wrote “In all my years at the University Professor Tucker was the finest design teacher on the faculty. He had a perceptive insight as an architectural critic, manifested a clear set of principles devoid of transitory fashion, and insisted upon quality performance from his students. Cantankerous at time, this attitude was always generated by a demonstration on the part of students and/or faculty of a lack of passion. It served well to awaken those with the capacity for self-criticism.”
It was further written that “Professor Tucker has the ability to discuss, in terms of principles, the nature of the architectural process and to instill in the student a sense of dedication and involvement. He is not the manner of teacher who is satisfied to provide factual knowledge nor to fulfill minimal requirements of personal contact. He strives diligently during evenings and weekends to consult with students on a personal level in order to have them understand. His dedication to the ideals of teaching and his ability to involve the individual in meaningful relationships with others through the medium of his profession is exemplary. Relative to this aspect of his concern he has held several seminars in his home, organized the visiting lecture series, taken his students and others on field trips to places such as Chicago, designed various posters and invitations to architectural symposiums, and in a word, been extensively involved in all areas of the School of Architecture’s activities beyond what can be considered as normal activity.”
The architecture community of practice benefited from Professor Tucker’s project involvements. This involvement includes draftsman/designer for residential and education buildings; educational, residential buildings, and detailing; residential remodeling; residential working drawings, college design preliminaries and presentations; design of prefabricated churches; design structures and production for residences Lakeview Towers in Gainesville Florida; senior designer, project designer, project administrator NASA Lunar Receiving Laboratory, Houston Texas; Whirlpool Labs and Administrative Building, Benton Harbor Michigan; Riverview Civic Center and Riverview Fire Station, Riverview Michigan; Kern Block office and commercial structure, Detroit Michigan; Conference Room and Judges’ Suites Building, State of Michigan, Lansing Michigan; Underground Parking Structure, Civic Center Plaza, Detroit Michigan; and Thirty-unit District Court Building, Detroit Michigan.
The State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs benefited from Professor Tucker’s expertise when he served as Research Director, Community Development Programs. His research included housing need in New Jersey, income taxes and housing costs, and trends in employment in small retail business as related to Black entrepreneurial development. For Bridgeton, N.J. he originated concept and acquired funding for local community coordinator to provide planning and organizational assistance to non-profit housing sponsors to build housing. For Newark, N.J. he provided planning and organizational consultation to the Newark Housing Council, a non-profit Black group in Newark for over 2000 planned units.
More locally, Professor Tucker working with O’Dell, Hewlett & Luckenbach of Birmingham Michigan as Senior designer, project administrator, and director of new development on the Highland Park High School site analysis and recommendations; Richard Manoogian Guest House in Harbor Springs; John Delorian house in Lake Angelus Michigan; initiated and operated Housing Advisors Inc. and O.H. & L. Development Corp.; and preliminary alternative investigations for the Pontiac Lions Stadium.
From 1962 until his retirement, Professor Tucker also worked in the community of practice through his own architecture firm Robert H. Tucker, Architect. His projects include residences, small apartment buildings in Florida; Psychiatric Hospital, Trenton New Jersey; Ballet School, Trenton New Jersey; Carter Residence, Lapeer Michigan; MacGlashan Co land use planner for 850 acres of land Metamora Michigan; Habitat Inc.; and residence in Adrian, Hampton Township, Oscoda, Owossa, Lansing, Jackson, Plymouth, Monroe, Mt. Clemens, Flint, and Saginaw Michigan.
Professor Tucker’s selected publication and research include Housing in New Jersey (co-author); Preliminary Report on Housing for the Mentally Retarded in Michigan; Housing in Pontiac – A Plan; Structures: Membranes, Soap Film, Topology; Housing: Multifamily Apartments: Size comparisons and site standards; and Urban Planning: Economics and Determinants of Urban Form.
For the University, Professor Tucker served on the Faculty Council, School of Architecture; the Committee on Tenure and Promotion, University Committee on Excellence in Teaching, University Committee on Faculty Development, Architecture Dean Search Committee, Library Committee, Student Chapter AIA Advisor, and the Insignis Selection Committee.
In informing Professor Tucker of being awarded the emeritus title, Sr. Fay wrote “As a faculty member with the longest tenure in the School of Architecture, you have left an indelible mark on the program and been a powerful influence on hundreds of successful alumni all over the world. As an outstanding spokesperson for the mission and architectural principals of the School, the curriculum is, in large measure, the result of your scholarship and commitment. In addition, it was your enthusiastic leadership and hard work that helped to bring about so many excellent accreditation reports over the years.”
Professor Tucker earned a Bachelor of Architecture degree from North Carolina State University and registration in Florida, New Jersey, Michigan, and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He did advanced studies at the University of Florida in advanced indeterminate structures, at Wayne State University, Detroit, in urban planning, history of city planning, and municipal administration, and at Princeton University in architecture and public affairs, systems engineering, sociology and urban planning, modernization and sociology, and architectural theory. He was honored with the Alpha Rho Chi Medal by North Carolina State College and the North Carolina AIA Book Award by the North Carolina Chapter of AIA.
Professor Tucker’s nomination for Professor Emeritus was approved and conferred by Sr. Maureen A. Fay, O.P., President of University of Detroit Mercy on April 13, 2004. 2018. Professor Tucker entered eternal life on March 29, 2019.