Chauncy N. Rucker

Chauncy N. Rucker, 80, of Mansfield Center, died September 12, 2018 at Brookdale Buckingham Alzheimers and Dementia Care in Glastonbury, CT.  Born in Kansas City, Kansas to Annalou (Turner) Rucker and Vance Mather Rucker, Chauncy grew up in Wichita and graduated from Wichita East High School, Baker University, Emporia State University, and the University of Iowa.  He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nancy, and his family, Vance Jason Rucker and Caitlin Schwarzman, and grandchildren Arlo and Alma of Alameda, California, and his son Christopher Neil Rucker of New York City.  Chauncy felt privileged to see his family grow up and to enjoy their activities and accomplishments.  He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Lou Weaver, and leaves Robin and Marcia Weaver and family of Plano, Texas, and Lou Anne Ward and family of Wichita, Kansas.  Chauncy was in the Special Education Department of the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut for thirty years, as coordinator of the Special Education Administration Training Program, director of the A.J. Pappanikou Center Technology Lab, founder and editor of the ConnSENSE Bulletin, and project director of the ConnNET and Daedalus Projects.  He was involved in the Council for Exceptional Children and the Technology and Media Division of the CEC.  Chauncy and his family were active in the Storrs Congregational Church on campus and value the support of many friends there and throughout the area.  Retiring in 1997, Chauncy enjoyed continuing the ConnSENSE Bulletin online, and developing the Assistive Technology Oral History Project, publishing podcasts and recordings.  He built two small sailboats and sailed off the New England coast with family and friends.  Traveling to visit family and grandchildren was important, as well as travel to Assistive Technology Conferences in the United States and abroad, especially the European Schools Project.  He was happy that he could experience the use of assistive technology in helping individuals with disabilities to achieve their potential.  The family is grateful to the Brookdale-Buckingham family and to Vitas Hospice for their excellent care and support.  In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the CT. Alzheimer’s Association, 200 Executive Blvd, Suite 4B, Southington, CT 06489, alz.org/ct, or the Storrs Congregational Church (Accessibility Fund), 2 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT. 06268.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Storrs Congregational Church on Saturday, September 29, 2018 at 2:00 PM. Handicap parking and accessibility is located on the right side of Church. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com

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