August 7, 1930 – January 17, 2016
Robert Frank Palmer was born Aug. 7, 1930, to Vernon Elwood and Ethel Ure Palmer in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was the oldest of four children. He passed away Jan. 17, 2016, in Washington, Utah.
His childhood was spent among friends, cousins and other family near 33rd South in Salt Lake City. He attended Blaine School during his young life and later attended Granite High School in Salt Lake City where he excelled at football.
He served his country in the Korean War in 1951 where he made many lifelong friends. He often recounted how, while stationed there, his testimony of the Savior and his Atonement was strengthened by reading the Book of Mormon.
After the war, he moved to Blythe, California, where he was a beekeeper for Miller Honey Company. There he met the love of his life, Harriet “Ruth” Payne, while she was visiting her sister Rae. They eventually married June 10, 1957, in the Mesa, Arizona, LDS Temple.
After living for a short time in Glendale, Arizona, where their first child was born, they moved to Blythe, California, where six additional children were born. They called Blythe their home for the next 32 years.
Robert attended the University of Utah where he received his bachelor’s degree in education. He later attended Brigham Young University where he earned his Masters in Education Administration.
Robert started his career as an educator at Ruth Brown School in Blythe where he taught for six years. He later became the Principal at Felix J. Appleby Elementary School where he remained until he retired in 1990.
He truly loved his job and treasured the relationships developed with the faculty and staff while helping to provide the educational foundation for children in the Palo Verde Valley. Not only did he teach children their ABCs but tried to be an example to them of righteousness.
After retirement, Robert and Ruth moved to Glendale, Utah. He loved working at their bed and breakfast, as well as working in his wood shop. He often used his woodworking talents to bless the lives of others and would donate homemade wooden toys to those who were less fortunate.
He also found joy in helping to build the city’s baseball field and would visit the field even after moving away. He loved the people of this community.
Because of health issues, Robert and Ruth eventually settled in Hurricane, Utah, where they have resided together until Robert’s passing.
He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and held a number of callings which included bishop, high councilman, Sunday School teacher, ward and stake clerk, as well as many others.
Robert is survived by his wife, Ruth; his seven children, Ann Palmer, Steven (Janell) Palmer, Kathleen (Carlos) Gonzales, David Palmer, Dana (Susan) Palmer, Kristen (Kent) Fawcett and Kerry (Jesse) Williams; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Janice Eckersley and Linda (Arne) Aune.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Claudia; a grandson; and great-granddaughter.
Funeral services
- Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 23, 11 a.m., at the Hurricane 3rd Ward Chapel located at 677 S. 700 West in Hurricane, Utah.
- Visitation will be held prior to the service, 9:30-10:30 a.m., at the Chapel.
- Internment will be at the Hurricane City Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of Metcalf Morturary, 435-673-4221. Please visit their website for condolences, complete obituary and funeral listings.