Ernest Theodore "Ted" Tuchek

May 31, 1934 - September 04, 2016

Ernest Theodore "Ted" Tuchek Obituary (Age 82) Ernest ?Ted? Tuchek passed away September 4, 2016 at home, surrounded by friends and family. Ted was born May 31, 1934 in Salem, OR to Jarmilla and Ernest Tuchek. He attended school in Salem, and summers at the family mountain home in southern Oregon. It was here when Ted fell in love with ?the land?. He then continued his education at Oregon State University, graduating with a BS in Geology. While at OSU, he was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity and was forever proud to be a Beaver. After college, his mining career included work with the Bureau of Land Management and later the United States Bureau of Mines. His career took him from Montana to California and he finally settled in Spokane, WA. Ted married Bobette Tuchek on September 2, 1978. Ted and Bobette enjoyed 38 years of marriage and shared a mutual love and respect for each other. He enjoyed fishing, gardening, wood working, reading, and making his own beer. Ted loved spending time at the family homestead and mining settlement in southern Oregon and was proud to share this experience and culture with the younger generations of his family. His favorite vacation spot after spending time at the family mine was Yachats, OR. He was a member of St. Stephens Episcopal Church for nearly 40 years where he was active in various aspects of his church community. He was always willing to volunteer his time to help out at church functions. Ted was also an active member of the Masonic Lodge. Education was important to Ted as he helped support and provide higher education to his children and grandchildren. Ted was a great father and step-father and shined in his role of combining two families! Ted had a ?terrific? sense of humor and enjoyed handing out or receiving many prank joke gifts! He clearly passed on his sense of humor and ability to enjoy life to his children and step children. When the laughter eventually settled down after the pranks?Ted would calmly?.thoughtfully state, with a twinkle in his eye?. ?Oh, you kids!!!!? Ted was preceded in death by his mother, Jarmila, his father, Ernest and step-father, Bob Radcliffe. Survivors include his wife, Bobette Tucheck, children, Jeff(Diane), Vikki(Steve), David(Sue); step-children, Chris(Amy) Leinweber, Gretchen(John) Richardson; grandchildren, Kayla, Jordan, Kyle, Janelle, Bronson, Brock, Ashley, Madison, and great-grandchildren, Briley, Brayden, Nellie and William. He was affectionately known as ?Oowa? to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Ted, ?Oowa? was deeply loved and admired and will be greatly missed by all. At his request there will be no service at this time. Memorial contributions of your choice in his name.