Perspective Senior Living in Superior, WI. He was born on August 1st, 1930 to Herbert and Ann
Palmer in Duluth.
Dick was a Denfeld graduate and after high school, he married the love of his life, Joyce
Anderson. Together they raised 2 children and along with his father, operated the family
business, the Duluth Budgeteer. Writing editorials was Dick’s passion and using the Budgeteer
as his voice he spoke out on many issues that were important to the community and the people
of Duluth. He authored a weekly column in the paper called the Action Editor whose purpose
was to advocate for residents who were having difficulty solving problems, getting answers and
cutting through bureaucratic red tape. He also wrote 312 personal profiles of prominent city
figures. Dick retired from the newspaper in 2008 after more than a 60-year career.
In 1970, Dick ran for a seat in the Minnesota State Senate and won against a 22-year veteran
DFL incumbent. He ran as an independent which was unusual but also testimony to his
approach to politics which was more about doing the right thing for people than following party
lines. He was a retired Captain in the Minnesota Air National Guard and was inducted into the
Duluth Denfeld Hunter Hall of Fame in 2012. Dick was civically active all through his life having
served on numerous community boards and committees.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Palmer and parents, Herb and Ann Palmer.
Dick will be greatly missed and is survived by his sister, Phyllis (Bill) Ranzinger of Surprise, AZ;
son, Rick (Jeanne) Palmer of Eden Prairie; daughter, Cheryl (Todd) McKay of Superior;
grandchildren, Amy (Noah) Lauricella of Minnetonka; Kelly (Travis) Palmer of Eden Prairie; Terry
(Cortney) Palmer of Plymouth; and Christina McKay of Superior; three great-grandsons, one
great-granddaughter, three nephews and one niece.
Visitation will be at 11:00am with a Memorial Service at noon on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at
Grace Lutheran Church, 5454 Miller Trunk Highway, Hermantown. Interment will be at Oneota
Cemetery. Dick’s family wishes to thank the staff at the New Perspectives Betty’s Harbor unit
and the Essentia hospice staff for their loving care. Please leave a memory of Dick or words of
support for the family at www.bellbrothersfuneralhome.com .
