David Raeder Palmer

DAVID R. PALMER July 1, 1952 ~ July 16, 2014 David Raeder Palmer, 62, died at his home in Ridgefield, WA on July 16, 2014 with his extended family at his side. He had suffered a severe traumatic brain injury four years ago. He was born in Philadelphia, PA to Barbara and the late James Palmer on July 1, 1952. Dave was a graduate of State College Area High School, State College, PA in 1970 and Pennsylvania State University in 1974 with a Forestry degree. On June 10, 1973, he married Debra "Debe" Bailey. After living in Hershey, PA they moved to Roseburg, OR where Dave worked as a Forester and Computer Systems Analyst for the Bureau of Land Management. He fought forest fires, did road layout, forest prescriptions and replants and computerized the 40-year plan for all the disciplines of the BLM. Dave transferred to Portland, OR in 1989 to computerize all the functions of BLM. In 2000, they moved to Ridgefield, WA to start a Paint Horse breeding ranch where they raised 15 foals. Besides his family, he loved his horses, fishing, the outdoors, and was kind and generous to all. He loved teaching others about math, the stars, and animals. Dave was a member and past Treasurer of Tau Phi Delta fraternity, a member of Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, Southwest WA Paint Horse Club and had earned an Eagle Scout from Troop 32. He was previous President of the Umpqua Valley Art Association. Dave is survived by his wife of 41 years, Debe; his daughters, Amy (Josh) Jensen and grandsons, Terrence, Ryker and Hudson; daughter, Jenica Palmer and grandson, Xzavier Phillips; foster daughters, Monique Jones and Kari Krueger, all from Vancouver, WA/Portland, OR; mother, Barbara of State College, PA; sister, Janet (Eli) Lipcon and their sons, Jacob (Michelle) and their children, Ella, Jim, Sam, and James (Meg), all of Massachusetts; brother, Chuck (Halina) of Boulder, CO; mother-in-law, Doris Bailey; sister-in-law, Diane Amendola of State College; sister-in-law, Carol Coley and nephew, Austin of Oregon. Funeral services will be held Sun, Aug. 10, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the Lewisville Park, Battle Ground, WA by the Grand Fir shelter. Watch for black and green balloons. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Tau Phi Delta at 427 E. Fairmount Ave. State College, PA 16801 or Bread for the World at 425 W. Third St., Suite 1200, Washington D.C. 20024 or Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA 16801. Please sign his guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

David Raeder Palmer

July 1, 1952 - July 16, 2014