Booker Hall "B.H." Rucker, III
October 29, 1939 ~ January 5, 2016
Booker Hall "B.H." Rucker, III, 76, of Taos, passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at University Hospital in Columbia, Missouri.
He was born October 29, 1939, in Rolla, Missouri, the son of the late Ray S. and Jessie (Stark) Rucker.
B.H. attended the Missouri School of Mines and later graduated from the University of Missouri Columbia. While working on his graduate degree at the University of Missouri he participated in excavations at the Osage Village State Historic Site, The Missouri Indian Village at Van Meter State Park, the George Caleb Bingham residence at Arrow Rock, and numerous other archaeological sites.
In 1963, he conducted historical and archaeological studies at Watkins Woolen Mill, Washington State Park, and the first Missouri State Capitol Historic site. During these studies he also taught elementary school in Union, Missouri.
In 1966, he returned to Watkins Mill as the Site Administrator to oversee the restoration and development of the facility as a state historic site. He worked full time for the Missouri State Parks for 36 years. This enabled him to devote his career to both the history and culture of Missouri.
In 1971, he became the Chief of Historic Sites and in 1974, became Assistant Director of the State Parks Division.
Throughout his career, B.H. served in various ways in the preservation, restoration, operation and interpretation to the public of historical and archaeological resources.
He retired in 2003 as Director of the Cultural and Natural Resource Management Program.
During retirement, B.H. worked with the Foundation for Restoration of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri in the preservation and restoration of the 1787 Memorial Cemetery and other projects in Ste. Genevieve, as part of a long term interest in French colonial architecture. Also in retirement, he co-authored a book on the State Parks of Missouri, which has just been released.
He was a recipient of the Missouri Alliance for Historic Preservation's Rozier Award in 2006.
He was also a talented amateur fine arts photographer.
In addition to his wife, Elaine of 51 years, B.H. is survived by two children, John Rucker (Linda Moore), Jefferson City; Sarah Rucker Williams, Columbia; three grandchildren, Sam Luke Williams, Emily Elaine Williams, Marnie Jane Rucker Williams; two brothers, Ray Rucker, Rolla; Stark (Penne) Rucker, Australia; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; an aunt, Dorothy Stark; two uncles, Douglas Stark and Jack Stark; and a nephew, Luke Rucker.
A remembrance service will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 9, 2016, at Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home with visitation following till 5 p.m.
Memorials are suggested to the Missouri State Parks Association, of which he was a long term board member.
Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.
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Booker was a great friend and colleague. He hired me into the exhibits program at state parks. We made it one of the best in the nation.
He was a great soul. He will be missed. Peace to the family. Sure wish I could have talked with him just once more.
Booker was a great friend and colleague. He hired me into the exhibits program at state parks. We made it one of the best in the nation.
He was a great soul. He will be missed. Peace to the family. Sure wish I could have talked with him just once more.
What a very special and unique man was Booker. His grasp of Missouri history, or any history for that matter, was remarkable and his ability to tell a story and make it come alive was captivating. In fact, I didn’t care if what he was interpreting was factual or not. I just loved to hear him make it come alive. The years I worked with and for Booker were wonderful and if I have any regret it would be that in retirement I did not stay in closer contact with him. To his family I offer my deepest condolences and sincerely thank you for sharing this great man with me and the citizens of Missouri for so many years. God’s blessing of peace and comfort to all of you.
I still remember the day Mr Rucker (as I always called him) hired me to work with State Parks when the office was on the 14th floor of Jefferson Building. We have many good memories of Booker and he will be greatly missed. He was a true historian and loved the state park system, esp the historic sites.
Elaine, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
I still remember the day Mr Rucker (as I always called him) hired me to work with State Parks when the office was on the 14th floor of Jefferson Building. We have many good memories of Booker and he will be greatly missed. He was a true historian and loved the state park system, esp the historic sites.
Elaine, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Elaine and Family – So sorry to here about Booker’s passing. I know for one, that Grandma Donave truly enjoyed visiting with him. What a full and phenomenal life history. I am humbled by his many contributions to history. We love you and will continue to hold you all in our prayers.
Many years ago , I worked a later shift for DNR at the Jefferson Building. More often than not, by the time I would make it to Booker’s office, around 7:00 or so, he would still be in his office. On those occasions, I always made it a point to stop in and talk with him. He was a kind soul with a wonderful sense of humor. When we talked, the range of topics we would talk about went from serious issues of the day to humorous stories we’d share with each other. When he told a story, or shared a joke, no details were overlooked. He and I developed a friendship through those brief encounters and over the years, that friendship grew. In future years, when our paths would cross, he always made time to ask how I was doing. His commitment to his work was an admirable trait. He will be missed, but remembered fondly by those who knew him. To his family, I offer my condolences, and may God bless you.
I was deeply saddened to learn of Booker\’s passing. Booker and I both graduated from Rolla High in 1957. We had many classes together. I always enjoyed talking with Booker and really enjoyed his unique sense humor. After high school, I didn\’t see Booker again until our 50th class reunion. I was delighted to find that Booker was still a nice guy with a wonderful sense of humor! My condolences to the family. I know how much you will miss him. With sincere sympathy, (Barbara (Lay) Patterson
I was deeply saddened to learn of Booker\’s passing. Booker and I both graduated from Rolla High in 1957. We had many classes together. I always enjoyed talking with Booker and really enjoyed his unique sense humor. After high school, I didn\’t see Booker again until our 50th class reunion. I was delighted to find that Booker was still a nice guy with a wonderful sense of humor! My condolences to the family. I know how much you will miss him. With sincere sympathy, (Barbara (Lay) Patterson
I was sadden to hear of Booker’s passing, my sincere
sympathies to his family. Mr. Rucker hired me in 1971 as a tour guide for the
First Mo State Capitol. He was a role model and mentor until I retired from DNR
in 2003. I will always be grateful for all
of the information I absorbed under his guidance. My desk even reflects his
organizational style.
I was sadden to hear of Booker’s passing, my sincere
sympathies to his family. Mr. Rucker hired me in 1971 as a tour guide for the
First Mo State Capitol. He was a role model and mentor until I retired from DNR
in 2003. I will always be grateful for all
of the information I absorbed under his guidance. My desk even reflects his
organizational style.
Elaine and family- I was sorry to hear of your husband and father passing. When reading these condolences, I wish I knew him. Take care of yourselves and each other. My sincere condolences.
While I didn’t work closely with Booker, the times when I heard him speak or had a conversation with him were memorable. In 1986 or so when I was a newly-hired tour guide at Watkins Mill State Historic Site, he made a visit from central office and I asked him what would happen if the sales tax didn’t pass (fearing that I would lose my job). To my surprise, Booker said that they might decide to keep on tour guides and reduce staff in central office! I was impressed by his humble and comforting response. I also recall him addressing a group of naturalists who generally had a mindset that cedar trees should be cut. In a non-threatening, skillful and interesting way, he spoke of the symbolic importance of cedar trees to Native Americans and caused me to appreciate cedar trees (in ecologically appropriate locations) in a way that I have always remembered. I will always remember Booker and appreciate all that he has accomplished for Missouri State Parks. May your memories be of special comfort to you and may God bless you.
Members of the Foundation for Restoration are deeply saddened by Booker’s passing. He was a great friend to Ste. Genevieve and we are grateful for the work he did; especially the guidance he offered in the restoration of the Memorial Cemetery. He will be missed.
I graduated from Rolla high with Booker. He was truly a nice and considerate person. I am saddened by his passing.
Hi Sarah, I know it has been a long time since we’ve talked but wanted to extend my deepest sympathy for the loss of your Dad. You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers.
I had the honor of working with Booker for 15 yrs. Booker always had a story. Usually about Missouri’s history. But, he also had one about my family’s history. His family had a gas station in Rolla across the street from my Uncle Louie’s shoe repair shop & student housing. According to Booker, my Uncle needed heavy shoe repair equipment moved from some location in Rolla to his shoe repair building. So, Booker & some of his friends carried this heavy equipment through the streets of Rolla for a few dollars & something else he wanted (can’t remember what), & were happy to do it, because they thought it was an interesting thing to do. So, he knew part of my family. I just found out tonight that he was in University Hospital at the same time as my Uncle Joe (Louie’s older Brother). I was there, too. I had no idea, or I would have taken a few minutes to stop bye to visit him. In Shakespeare’s words, “He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again”. Rest in Peace, Booker!
I had the honor of working with Booker for 15 yrs. Booker always had a story. Usually about Missouri’s history. But, he also had one about my family’s history. His family had a gas station in Rolla across the street from my Uncle Louie’s shoe repair shop & student housing. According to Booker, my Uncle needed heavy shoe repair equipment moved from some location in Rolla to his shoe repair building. So, Booker & some of his friends carried this heavy equipment through the streets of Rolla for a few dollars & something else he wanted (can’t remember what), & were happy to do it, because they thought it was an interesting thing to do. So, he knew part of my family. I just found out tonight that he was in University Hospital at the same time as my Uncle Joe (Louie’s older Brother). I was there, too. I had no idea, or I would have taken a few minutes to stop bye to visit him. In Shakespeare’s words, “He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his like again”. Rest in Peace, Booker!
this is my grandfather