Richard D Palmer

December 16, 1928 - May 10, 2022

Richard Dean Palmer, of Cape Coral, Florida, age 93, died on May 10, 2022. He was born at home in Marseilles, Illinois on December 16, 1928, to Erma Johanna Fenoglio Palmer and Doc Lloyd M. Palmer. His parents, his beloved uncle and mentor, Charles (Dutz) Fenoglio, his younger sister, Bonnie Palmer Mokersky, and his precious infant son, Paul Palmer predeceased him.

He is survived by four children – Pamela (Mark) Wallace, Cheryl (Brad) Perine, Sandra Palmer, and Daniel (Johanna) Palmer, and their mother, Claire Lawson Palmer; eight grandchildren – Sara Wallace, Lindsay (Gabriel) Michael, Krista (Paul) Gies, Jason Perine, Devan Perine, Rachel Perine, Kamron Palmer, Luke Palmer, Kira Palmer; and his great-grandchildren – Kayla Reithlingshoefer and Pascal Michael. His third great-grandchild, Ireland Gies, was born just four days after Richard passed away. His fourth great-grandchild, Wylder Smith, was born about one year after Dick’s passing. More great grandchildren and future generations are sure to come!

Richard (Dick) earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education from Northern Illinois Teacher’s College at Northern Illinois University (NIU), DeKalb, Illinois. He taught in Illinois schools located in Oak Lawn, Hinsdale, and Oak Park. Most of his career was at Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF). There, he educated, influenced, and mentored thousands of students as an Industrial Arts teacher and as a Vocational Guidance Counselor. In fact, OPRF’s Vocational Guidance Program was pioneered because of Dick’s initiative and tenacity in securing an Illinois state grant for it. From there, he obtained approval to implement and administer the program at OPRF. Dick had a compassionate heart for underprivileged youth. He also welcomed into our home, at various times, three foster children, baby Mikey, Robyn, and Blaire. His favorite pets were Rusty, an Irish Setter, Cindy, a Bassett Hound, and Malachi, a Labrador Retriever. He loved dogs and dogs loved him!

With four children ages four and under, Dick built a beautiful cedar shake family home, in Westmont, Illinois, inspired by a design his wife picked out of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. Dick could build anything and fix everything! He crafted many things for his grandchildren and children. Some of the items he made were a wooden sled, Christmas decorations, stilts, a wooden car, an intricate bead toy, a lovely inlaid wood jewelry box and one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces. He crafted and installed a mantel for our Westmont home fireplace as well as one for his daughter Pam's home in Maryland.

Dick was very athletic; swimming was his favorite sport. He taught all his children how to swim in excellent form, of course, at incredibly early ages. Because of his fun-loving spirit he provided many fun experiences for his family. Among them were summers at the “Club” boating, swimming, waterskiing, and fishing. We had many family vacations that included the Smokey Mountains, Cape Cod, New York, New Orleans, the state of Maine (on a quest for lobster!), Colorado for downhill skiing and a Christmas in Key West, FL. In the early 1960s, he created and mounted a “zip-line” in the family back yard. It was named the “Palmer Special”. And it certainly was special! His children and neighborhood friends enjoyed riding it for hours after school and during the summer months.

In his retirement years, he purchased and restored a 7-acre estate in Batavia, Illinois and operated it as the Villa Batavia Bed-n-Breakfast. Later, in 2002, he moved to Cape Coral, Florida. There, he cared for his mother and joined local dance clubs. He loved to dance and was known locally as “Dancing Dick.” He and Pat Wiley, his companion and dance partner, were considered celebrities amongst their dancing community! Dick was also well-known among family, friends, and acquaintances for his creative and colorful sense of humor and gift of storytelling.

Richard passed out of this world on May 10, 2022, in Round Rock, Texas, soon after a fall resulting in a fractured femur and six fractured ribs. His family is grateful for the heritage and values he instilled that will carry forward through the generations. He certainly shall live forever in the hearts and memories of his family. A memorial tribute was held in his honor at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Pamela and Mark Wallace.