Robert Cameron has seen the world. Graduating with a degree in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, he rose through the ranks and took command of his first vessel in 1980. A voyage that would continue for more than 25 years, Captain Robert traveled the world; Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and the United States, making memories for a lifetime.
A meningocele was found wrapped around the nerves at the T-4 area of Roberts’ spine. The discovery led to a 12-hour surgery and resulted in an uncontained slow bleed. In 2005, a diagnosis of superficial siderosis changed his course.
Retirement finds him splitting his time between Florida, where he is under the care of Dr. James Meschia, Head of Neurology Jacksonville Mayo Clinic, and his summer home on Nantucket Island. Opting to give chelation therapy a chance, he feels there has been a slowing of the progression and even seen some improvement.
Not one to let an opportunity slip past, he decided to battle back against memory loss issues and exercise his mind by tackling his lifelong dream of writing. During his time as a sea captain, he witnessed the beautiful marine life that populates our oceans. However, he felt nothing compared to the wonder of Nantucket whales.
Robert reached out to a longtime friend and artist, Rod Cole, about illustrating his idea for a children’s book his grandsons and children everywhere would love. The success of A Day With Tuckey, The Nantucket Whale, has now grown into a collection of Tuckey adventures for youngsters anywhere. With the fourth book in the Tuckey series due in June and the positive reception of a hard book for toddlers, Robert has turned a devastating diagnosis into a new voyage.
The Tuckey The Nantucket Whale children’s book collection is proudly displayed on a library shelf at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York where Capt. Cameron is a graduate.
If you visit Tuckey’s online store, tuckeythenantucketwhale.com, you’ll find all of Tuckey the Nantucket Whale and his pal Freddy the Seagull’s latest adventures, colorful posters, Tuckey t-shirts, and hats available for your best Tuckey fan.
Bookstores, gift shops, and museums on Cape Cod, Nantucket Island, Martha’sineyard, Mystic Seaport, and Naples also offer a selection of Tuckey books. In addition, you can find Tuckey at Barnes and Noble, MascotBooks.com, Amazon, and dozens of independent bookstores.
Robert Cameron is an entrepreneur, ship captain, and retired executive for BP. He and his wife enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and summers on Nantucket.
Contact Robert at https://tuckeythenantucketwhale.com/contact/
