Frank R. Palmer III

Frank R. Palmer III, a retired contracting executive and WWII veteran, died Tuesday June 18 at Stella Maris, in Baltimore County, of complications from lymphoma. He had just celebrated his 90th birthday.

Frank R. Palmer III was born in Baltimore and raised in Hampden. He was a 1941 graduate of City College and enlisted in the Army in 1943. During his two years of service, Frank achieved a rank of Staff Sergeant and was a member of the Eighth Bomber Command. In addition to several military medals, on February 16, 1945 he received the honor of becoming a member of the “Lucky Bastard Club” for flying no fewer than 33 successful missions over Germany.

When he returned to Baltimore he began his career as a plasterer’s apprentice for John H. Hampshire, Inc. He was employed at Hampshire for 40 years, and worked his way up until he retired as President in 1985. He was very proud of his company’s work and often spoke of the artistry realized in the detailed beauty of its many projects including the Mother Seaton Basilica, in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore.

For several years Frank was an active member of the Boumi Temple of Baltimore.

He was also an avid golfer and a member of Hunt Valley Golf Club. He enjoyed vacationing in Bethany Beach, Delaware, and working on many home renovations at their home in Monkton and their beach home in Bethany.

He had been an usher and a member of the Choir and Vestry at the Immanual Episcopal Church in Glencoe, Maryland since 1973.

Frank is survived by his wife of 66 years, Frances M. Palmer (nee Krebs); a daughter, Cynthia Heckcrote, and her husband Warren, of Newark, Delaware; a son, Frank R. Palmer IV, and his wife Nancy, of Lutherville, Maryland; five grandchildren, Meagan Heckcrote Schultz, and her husband Marc, Jeffrey Heckcrote, Andrew Heckcrote, Elisabeth Palmer, Morgan Palmer; and two great granddaughters, Annabelle and Caroline Schultz.

A memorial reception to celebrate Jack’s life will be held on Friday, June 28 from 1 to 3PM at the Baltimore Country Club, Five Farms, 11500 Mays Chapel Road, Lutherville, MD 21093.

Interment Private.

The family suggests, in lieu of flowers contributions may be directed in Mr. Palmer’s memory to Immanuel Episcopal Church, 1509 Glencoe Road Glencoe, MD 21152

BALTIMORE SUN OBITUARY

Frank R. Palmer III, who rose from a plasterer to president of a Remington plastering and drywall firm, died June 18 from complications of lymphoma at Stella Maris Hospice. He was 90.

The son of a Baltimore Transit Co. streetcar motorman and a Hutzler's department store manager, Frank Reynolds Palmer III was born in Baltimore and raised in Hampden.

Mr. Palmer was a 1941 graduate of City College and enlisted in the Army Air Force. He joined the VIII Bomber Command based in England. As a waist gunner aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses, he successfully completed 33 missions and attained the rank of staff sergeant.

"They were all over Berlin and because he had flown those missions, was a member of the Lucky Bastards Club," said his son, Frank R. Palmer IV of Lutherville. "It was something he never talked about. If you asked him, he'd direct the conversation to something else."

When the war ended, Mr. Palmer joined John H. Hampshire Inc. as an apprentice plasterer, eventually being named the company's president in 1970.

"He was very proud of his company's work and often spoke of the artistry in the detailed beauty of its many projects, including the Mother Seton Basilica in Emmitsburg and the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall," his son said.

Mr. Palmer retired in 1985.

He was a member of the Boumi Temple and liked playing golf at the Hunt Valley Golf Club, where he was a member. He also liked doing renovations on his Monkton home, where he had lived for 43 years, and at his Bethany Beach, Del., home.

Mr. Palmer was a longtime member of Immanuel Episcopal Church in Glencoe, where as a tenor, he sang with the church's choir.

A memorial gathering will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Baltimore Country Club's Five Farms, 11500 Mays Chapel Road in Lutherville.

In addition to his son, Mr. Palmer is survived by his wife of 66 years, the former Frances M. Krebs; a daughter, Cynthia Heckcrote of Newark, Del.; five grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.

By: Fred Rasmussen

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