Dr. Richard V. Palmer

Dr. Richard V. Palmer was born April 16, 1938 in Des Moines, IA, to Milburn and Alice Palmer. He was a very conscientious person from childhood. People who knew Richard understood that if he was given a job, he would get it done yesterday. As a teenager, he worked various jobs from mowing lawns and delivering newspapers to working in an ice house and lifeguarding. He played trumpet in the high school band and was part of a dance band, as well. After attending Grinnell and Drake Universities, he graduated from University of Iowa to become a third generation dentist. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Richard served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era on Okinawa before marrying Sally Schafer Hobi in December of 1963. They spent most of their married life In Longview, Washington where Richard practiced dentistry. As an active member of the community, he served as President of the Pioneer Lion’s Club, was a member of the Lower Columbia Amateur Radio Club, served on the National Bank Board, and was also a committed member of Calvary Community Church where he served as the Administrator.

After retiring from dentistry, Richard felt the Lord’s call to ministry. He and Sally lived and served the Lord in Santa Barbara, CA, and Lake Oswego, OR before moving to Vancouver, WA where he helped lead pastor’s prayer summits through International Renewal Ministries, and served as Secretary of the Board of Multnomah University and Bible College. He was an active member of Glenwood Community Church.

Richard moved to Texas in 2011 where he and Sally immediately became involved in their community, Heritage Ranch and Hunters Glen Baptist Church. Richard loved electric trains, boating, and old cars, mostly Corvettes. He held an Amateur Extra radio operator license and through this hobby had friends all over the world. Not only did he love summers on Hood Canal, and vacations in Hawaii, but enjoyed travel to other parts of the world, especially Israel. Richard’s first love was Jesus, and he lived his life in pursuit of sharing the Good News of eternal life with Christ to those in his circle of influence.

He is survived by his wife, Sally, son, Rick Palmer and wife Laura, daughter Sara Grode and husband Dennis, grandchildren Brett and Jessica Palmer and Caleb and Sadie Grode, brother Curt Palmer and much extended family. Services are Tuesday, January 22 at 2:00 pm at Hunters Glen Baptist church in Plano, TX. Dr. Palmer will be buried at the DFW National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Baylor Healthcare System Foundation for Cancer Research, International Renewal Ministries, New Century Hospice of Dallas, or Hunters Glen Baptist Church Local Missions.