Victor William Palmer

Victor was born in London, England on November 26, 1934. At age 3, his family moved to New York where he resided in Staten Island through his completion of High School. After receiving BA and JD degrees from Columbia University, he moved to Baltimore, MD where he practiced law until 1967, when he accepted a position as trial attorney with the US Department of Agriculture and moved to the DC suburbs. He was appointed to the position of Federal Administrative Law Judge at Agriculture in 1975, and was Chief Administrative Law Judge from 1987 to 1999. Upon retirement, he served as an adjunct professor of law at American University; represented disabled students attending public schools in Maryland pro bono; and served as General Counsel for Palmer Staffing Services. Victor was a member of many groups including several Bar Associations, the Annapolis Yacht Club, and the Cosmos Club in Washington, DC

At age 53 Victor married Carol McChesney on November 27,1987, inheriting a loving family that would grow over the years: stepchildren Robin Beckwith (James) and Peter McChesney (Margaret) grandchildren Mary More (John), Amy Rembold (Brett), Peter McChesney, William McChesney, and Henry McChesney, and great grandchildren Tessa More, Eli Rembold and Amber Rembold.

The family was extremely close, spending lots of time at The Point condo on Spa Creek in Annapolis as well as many family gatherings throughout the year. Victor loved to sail and powerboat. Cruising with the AYC was a favorite activity for Victor and Carol. They had many friends in Annapolis at The Point and Bethesda/Chevy Chase and loved to travel, especially to Florida in the winter.

Carol died in 2018 and Victor stayed very active at the Somerset House condo in Chevy Chase, serving on the Board for many years. He continued to be actively involved with many committees at the Cosmos Club. This past October Victor moved to Brightview Senior Living in Herndon, Virginia to be closer to family there.

Services for Victor will be February 20, 2026 at 11am at St John Neumann Catholic Church in Reston, Virginia. A reception in the parish hall will directly follow the service. Burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery will take place at a later date.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, those who wish may make a donation to Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington in memory of Victor Palmer. 924 G Street, NW, Washington DC 20001. https://www.catholiccharitiesdc.org