An angel in bas-relief that once watched over children at the Rose Orphanage now marks Ralph and Virginia Tuckers ’ grave in Section 4 of Highland Lawn Cemetery . ( Photo by Mike Lunsford )
issue , its annexation concerns ; back to making countless hospital visits and front porch stops , back to fighting rising utility rates , overseeing the city ’ s first weekly trash and ash collection ; back to improving restaurant inspection , battling for a fair share of state funding , and replacing the city ’ s “ tired ’ buses . By the time he gave his last “ State of the City ” address , Tucker boasted that better street lighting , an expanded city park system , a lower crime rate , and a budget surplus were hallmarks of his final term . Although he was often criticized for taking little action on too many issues until , as one critic said , there was “… a wall to his back and a knife at his throat ,” he seemed to get a lot done , including a visibly supportive role in establishing Tajimi , Japan , as a “ sister city ” in 1962 .
Fred Nation , for years at “ The Spectator ,” a decidedly anti-Tucker publication , admired the mayor ’ s moxie . He says , “ When Tucker left office , he established a public relations business in a space next to ‘ Meg the Beachcombers ’ bar on east Wabash . One of [ Tucker ’ s ] real accom-
plishments was the establishment of a sister city relationship with Tajimi . The new mayor [ Larrison ] didn ’ t have the same affection for the program , so when he received a call that the bus of delegates was on the way to City Hall to be received by the mayor , he instructed the police to send it to Ralph ’ s office next to the bar without any notice to him , which is what happened . While Ralph was surprised , he reacted in a welcoming way , greeted them , and went with them to the next stop .”
A few years before his death at age 71 , Tucker , by then at work for the city ’ s Chamber of Commerce , helped organize a centennial birthday celebration for one of the town ’ s favorite sons , Max Ehrmann . Already fighting the cancer that would eventually kill him , he nonetheless tackled the project with interest and enthusiasm .
One of those Tucker worked with recalled , “ He was never an old man living in the past .”
Open Your Account Today ! And Get Your Direct Deposit Tomorrow !
Ask us how we can help !
Authentic Mexican Food !
1480 Ft . Harrison Road Terre Haute , IN 812-466-5888
1122 N . Fruitridge Ave ., Terre Haute , IN 812-231-7900
1 / 2 Block South of North High School www . apifcu . com
March 2022 • Terre Haute Living 57