Thomas Earl Palmatier

Tom Palmatier, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend to so many, passed away suddenly from cardiac arrest on November 18, 2025. He is survived by Brenda Palmatier, his wife of more than 54 years; his daughters, Leah Musico (Bill Musico) of Washington, DC, and Robin Palmatier (Chris Richards) of Cary, NC; and his five grandchildren who adored him: Emily and Jude Musico, Noah and Kylie Parham, and Liam Richards. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl and Mae Palmatier, and his sister, Marie Palmatier Stone.

Tom was born on November 6, 1946, and spent his early years in Shickshinny, Pennsylvania. His family relocated to Maryland in 1955. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland and a Master’s degree from American University, both in mathematics. He began his career at the National Security Agency, where he met Brenda Peeler; they married in 1971. Over the course of 34 years at NSA, he rose to the Senior Executive Service and received numerous honors, including the Director’s Distinguished Service Medal and an Invention Award recognizing his Patent for a “Self-Authenticating Cryptographic Apparatus”. His cryptographic designs are still used today in over half of the devices protecting classified information for the US government.

Following his retirement from NSA, Tom joined the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, where he applied his extensive expertise from NSA to help establish and build a new mission in cybersecurity at APL, which grew quickly to support existing APL missions, including the space program, ships, and health devices. According to his colleagues, Tom’s experience working with people and his professional knowledge made him an invaluable advisor and teacher. He retired a second time in 2015 from APL after 13 years of service. In 2018, Tom and Brenda relocated to Woodhall in Cary, North Carolina, after 47 years in their home in Laurel, Maryland.

Throughout his life, Tom maintained a wide range of interests and hobbies. Music was among his greatest passions; he played trombone, guitar, and piano. He played trombone in a local symphony and a brass ensemble in Maryland. After moving to North Carolina, he joined the Cary Town Band and has recently enjoyed additional playing time with the group of trombonists from the band. When he wasn’t making music, he loved cooking, fishing and boating at Lake Gaston, taking photos, reading, talking about cars, studying science (especially space), and repairing anything in need of fixing, a skill that earned him the affectionate family nickname “Mr. Fix-It.”

Of all Tom’s interests, none meant more to him than the people he loved. He was happiest when gathered with family and friends, often expressing his affection through food, whether it was a signature “Palmatier Pizza,” his famous cheese dip, or another delicious meal. He was a dedicated husband and father who fostered his wife’s and daughters’ appreciation for music, theater, travel, and good food. As a young family, they traveled widely together, including a cross-country trip, and filled their road trips with the sound of musical scores. They attended numerous musical theater productions over the years, experiences that became treasured moments in their family’s life.

For the past 18 years, he took immense joy in being an active presence in the lives of his grandchildren, capturing their milestones with his camera and offering constant encouragement, warmth, and affection. Tom had a unique sense of humor, loved to tell stories, and never missed a chance to crack a joke. When they were young, his grandchildren affectionately called him a “teaserhead,” and he happily played the roles of “tickleadon” and “hugasaurous”, names that reflected the playful, loving bond they shared. As they grew, he continued to nurture special relationships with each of them. Being a grandparent was one of the great joys of his life.

Tom loved deeply and was deeply loved in return. His legacy endures in the family he cherished and the many lives he touched.

Donations in Tom’s name* can be made to:

• The Cary Town Band – celebrating the music he loved and the friends he made while playing trombone. https://carytownband.org/support/

• Cure JM – in honor of his granddaughter Emily and in gratitude for her remission from juvenile myositis, a cause close to his heart. https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/cure-jm-foundation

• Planned Parenthood – reflecting Tom’s lifelong belief in compassion, equity, and supporting the rights and freedoms he cared deeply about. https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/

*Please note that donations are in memory of Tom Palmatier.

Tom’s Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, January 3rd, from 1 to 4 PM, at Weldon Mills Distillery’s Event Space in downtown Durham, North Carolina. The address is 300 East Main Street, Suite 001, Durham, NC 27001.

We hope you will join us to celebrate a life well lived. There will be time to share stories about Tom during this event; please feel free to share a memory, if you would like.

Parking is located on Roxboro Street just before you reach Weldon Mills. The entrance to the venue is around the corner on East Main Street. (This is a private entrance, not the space downstairs which is open to the public.)

While RSVP is not necessary, it would be helpful if you would let Brenda, Robin, or Leah know if you are planning to be there.

We look forward to being together in memory of a wonderful man.

Please share with others you know who might be interested in coming.