Psychiatrist Gary Tucker was leading expert in how brain works

Before dawn most days, Dr. Gary J. Tucker was already in his Matthews Beach study learning more about his beloved field, neuropsychiatry.

He was known for never needing much sleep. And his voracious reading in the wee hours helped feed an insatiable curiosity and spawn new ideas in a relatively new specialty, one that focuses on physical problems in the brain and psychiatry.

"He was really committed to making us understand the brain and how it works as it relates to psychiatry," said Dr. Richard Veith, chairman of the University of Washington Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. "He was an intellectual leader, able to synthesize across broad fields."

Dr. Tucker chaired the same UW department from 1985 through 1997, co-authored the definitive text "Behavioral Neurology," and was an internationally known figure in his field. He also rode a motorcycle just about everywhere.

He died Dec. 6 after a long illness stemming from a stroke. He was 72.

Dr. Tucker grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of a dentist. He was educated at Oberlin College, Case Western University School of Medicine and Yale University. He directed the psychiatry division of the Navy's Aerospace Institute for three years and was invited to be an astronaut, but declined because he had two small children, said his wife, Sharon Pobby Tucker.

He later taught at Yale and Dartmouth and became chairman of Dartmouth's psychiatry department before coming to the UW. He served as president of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, was an adviser to the National Institute of Mental Health and served as editor of the Journal Watch for Psychiatry and the journal Seminars in Clinical Neurology.

He also wrote three books on medical education, psychosis and behavioral neurology.

His work has helped further the understanding of how neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy contribute to psychiatric disorders such as depression, paranoia and dementia.

Dr. Tucker also was known for his love of motorcycles. He rode one to work every day. He rode one on vacations with his wife. He even rode one across the country to scientific meetings, sporting riding leathers and cool boots.

"Colleagues would ask if we drove and we'd say, no, we rode," his wife said. "Then they'd say, 'oh, can we have a ride?' "

The Tuckers were married for 50 years in an "extraordinary relationship, very hard to find in life," Sharon Tucker said. "We were like twins."

Dr. Tucker also relished fatherhood, said his daughter, Clare Tucker Higgins of Seattle. She said she loved his dry sense of humor and quiet confidence, their shared love of dogs, and his unwavering support.

"He thought we were all just perfect," Higgins said.

Dr. Tucker also is survived by a son, Adam, of Tokyo, and two grandchildren.

The family plans a memorial service in the spring. Donations may be made to Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio.

Warren King: 206-464-2247 or wking@seattletimes.com