Richard “Dick” Palmer, who served on quite a lot of Warren boards and committees, died on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. He was 92.
Photograph offered by Robert Bonkowski
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WARREN – A longtime Warren resident whose many years of service to the town is remembered as an unassuming, regular presence.
Richard “Dick” Palmer, who served on quite a lot of Warren boards and committees, died on Thanksgiving, Nov. 27. He was 92.
In keeping with his obituary, Palmer graduated from the College of Detroit earlier than serving within the U.S. Military. He labored as a tax analyst for Ford Motor Co. for 32 years.
Palmer, who lived in Warren for 67 years, served 16 years as a PTA officer and 6 years on the PTA Space Council. He spent 16 years on the Warren Consolidated Faculties Board of Training, the place he chaired two profitable millage campaigns.
As well as, based on his obituary, he was a member of the Warren Library Fee for ten years, a member of the Warren Cultural Fee for 3 years and a member of the board of the Associates of the Warren Library for thirty years. He additionally served on the board of administrators of the Warren Symphony Orchestra for 19 years.
Along with many relations, he’s survived by his spouse, Genie Palmer, who referred to as her husband a “skilled volunteer.”
“He was happiest when he was round his household and other people, that is why he was so concerned in all the things within the metropolis and within the faculties,” she mentioned. “He was an expert volunteer as a result of he cherished to assist wherever he may.”
He was a loving father and grandfather, she mentioned, who loved {golfing} and studying books.
“His favourite trip was simply sitting and studying,” she mentioned.
Warren Treasurer Lorie Barnwell mentioned Dick and Genie Palmer have been each dedicated to serving the town.
“He and his spouse really have servant hearts, and so they have at all times achieved their greatest for Warren,” she mentioned.
Barnwell mentioned she met Palmer at one of many first occasions she ever went to when she ran for workplace in 2015.
“I simply keep in mind he had an important humorousness. He was so humorous, had an important humorousness and was extraordinarily pleasant,” she mentioned. “And he was simply extraordinarily encouraging to younger individuals who have been rising and growing of their management.”
Barnwell, who served on the Library Committee with Palmer, mentioned he by no means obtained concerned within the “political forwards and backwards” and at all times mentioned what he meant.
“And he at all times mentioned it with a little bit of humor, slightly humor. He by no means took himself or the rest too significantly,” she mentioned. “And I imply that in one of the simplest ways potential. He simply actually tried to guide with honor, with intention and with humility.”
She added that he was an important instance to her as she started to tackle a management place within the metropolis. He by no means obtained indignant simply and at all times tried to search out the perfect in different individuals and the perfect options, she mentioned.
“He simply actually needed to carry individuals collectively to maneuver ahead,” Barnwell mentioned.
Warren Metropolis Council Secretary Mindy Moore recalled Palmer’s dedication to service, neighborhood, religion and household, which made Warren a greater place, she mentioned in a Fb publish.
Moore served with Palmer on the board of administrators of the Warren Symphony Orchestra. His love of music, regular management and sort coronary heart have been evident in all the things he did, she mentioned.
“He was the kind of board member you possibly can at all times depend on: he was ready, attentive, devoted and endlessly supportive of our mission,” she mentioned. “Dick believed within the energy of music to carry individuals collectively, and he labored tirelessly for almost twenty years to make sure the way forward for the symphony.”
What she admired most about Palmer, Moore mentioned, was his real heat.
“Dick at all times had a smile, an encouraging phrase and a deep sense of function,” she mentioned. “His service prolonged far past the humanities. He gave a lot of himself to our faculties, our library system, his church communities and to numerous organizations that make Warren stronger.”
Former Warren Mayor Jim Fouts mentioned Palmer represented a presumably bygone period of individuals extra involved about public service than self-service.
“He at all times put the pursuits of the varsity or the town above his personal,” he mentioned. “He was only a type, selfless, self-effacing man.”
Fouts mentioned Palmer by no means frightened about himself, nearly getting issues achieved.
“He at all times needed to place the pursuits of the varsity district and the town above his personal. He had a really trusting, successful smile. He was quiet however very dedicated to serving to others,” he mentioned.
He mentioned Palmer and his spouse each centered on public service.
“They have been an vital a part of our neighborhood, and so they helped maintain issues operating the proper approach with out pushing themselves ahead,” Fouts mentioned.
In a tribute on his Fb web page, Fouts mentioned there was hardly a board or committee on which Palmer was unwilling to serve.
“Nonetheless, for me he’ll at all times be remembered as a pleasant man who put you relaxed together with his humble successful fashion,” he mentioned. “Thanks Dick, you will have served our metropolis properly.”
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