Allen E. Rucker ’65

Allen was born on February 26th, 1943 in the coastal community of Jersey City, NJ, the son of the late Allen E Rucker Sr. and the late Lena Myers Rucker. Allen grew up in East Haddam, CT before receiving his formal education in Maine.  He graduated from Berwick Academy in 1961 before attending Maine Maritime Academy. In 1965 he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.  In addition to his studies, he was a member of the football team and the yacht club.

He would go on to serve as an US Merchant Marine mate and officer in various capacities on ships for several oil companies and supplying ammunition during the Vietnam War.  While in service, Allen met his future wife, Donna Simpson, at a wedding reception. During their first four years of marriage, they would have a daughter and twin boys.  By this time Allen had returned to East Haddam, CT to live and worked for Dun & Bradstreet.  He rose to the top of his field in credit and finance.  Allen would live in Gray ME for 5 years before residing in Sutton MA until his death.

In 1983, Allen received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration from New Hampshire college in Manchester. He went on to work at several more companies like Frye Shoe Co, Mr. Christmas and United Solutions that required his unique skills within the credit department specifically dealing with collections and delinquent leases. By 2013, he retired and would only consult as needed.

Outside of work, Allen enjoyed buying, repairing and selling properties long before it became popular. Other hobbies throughout his lifetime included camping with the family, swimming, woodworking, and coin collecting.  Most of all, Allen enjoyed any time spent at the shore.  He loved the water.

In his Maine Maritime yearbook, it was said that “he could go into town with fifty cents and come back looking like he spent five dollars.”  It was this rare blend of abilities that made him so successful in life.  His classmates have remarked that they remembered his smile.

Allen is survived by his wife of 53 years, Donna S. Rucker, his daughter Lisa Rucker of Hope Valley RI,  his son Christopher Rucker of Cold Spring NY and four grandchildren: Brandon, Dylan, Julia, and Charles (CJ) Rucker.  He is predeceased by his son Charles Rucker and his younger brother John Rucker.