Robert is survived by his wife of 52 years, Janis Palmer, by his son Steven Palmer and his wife Aimee, by his daughter Stacy (Palmer) Gooch and husband Norman, and five loving grandchildren; Ashley and Austin Gooch, Allison Foster, Olivia, and Ryan Palmer.
Born a military brat, his father a career United States Air Force officer, Robert seemed destined for a life of service to his nation, his family, and his friends. He entered the Army in 1965 and served as an OV-10 Mohawk reconnaissance aircraft systems operator, flying on the DMZ in Korea. After selection and successful completion of Officer Candidate School, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry at Ft. Benning, GA. Shortly after, he attended Initial Entry Rotary Wing training, better known as Army Flight School, at Ft. Wolters, Texas and Ft. Rucker, Alabama.
A proud Vietnam veteran, Robert flew in the 48th Assault Company “Blue Stars” in Vietnam and was shot down twice. He left Vietnam with a Bronze Star, fourteen awards of the Air Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, with Palm, unit citation. He then was a UH-1H “Huey” Instructor Pilot, and he enjoyed providing flight instruction to fledgling pilots. Robert served a year as an Army Officer assigned to Bell Helicopter in what was called the Training with Industry Program, learning the industry from the production end to later help the Army. A few years later, during a break in service to explore civilian life, he worked for Bell Helicopter in Iran. In 1979, he and his family had to rapidly evacuate when the Shah was overthrown by a fundamentalist theocratic regime. Returning to active duty in the Army, Robert served again as a Huey Instructor pilot and Maintenance Test Pilot, and also was designated a Contracting Officer.
During his career, Robert served in field units in Vietnam, Honduras and Korea; staff assignments at Army Aviation Systems Command, St. Louis, and as a Government Flight Representative at a helicopter production facility in Ozark, Alabama.
In 1992, Robert was recruited by the Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Office of Aviation, better known as the Department of State Air Wing. The DOS Air Wing, at the time, was an aviation counter narcotics program operating overseas, frequently in war torn nations. Robert retired from the Army after 22 years of active duty, a Master Army Aviator, rated in the OH-58, UH-1, and UH-60, and started his second career serving the nation.
He served as Chief Rotary Wing pilot for the Air Wing for five years as a contractor, introducing a Night Vision Goggle Program and a Standardization program. Robert frequently traveled to Peru, Bolivia, and Guatemala in his role as Chief Pilot, with two of those countries having active left wing insurgencies going on. Exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, he developed serious medical problems that stopped his travel to the field in 1997.
He then joined the Government staff of the program as a Technical Writer and Contracting Officers Representative, and also served as the Air Wing Human Resources officer. In addition, because of his five years visiting the country programs, he was an invaluable source on any topic related to the “downrange” operations. Roberts unique mix of experiences including aviation logistics, aviation maintenance, rated as both an Instructor Pilot and Maintenance Test Pilot, and Contracting Officer skills were invaluable to the Department of State Air Wing.
As a GS-14, Robert was made head of the Air Wings Contracting and Administration Division, supervising human resources, budget, travel, and the administration of an approximately $500 million dollar a year aviation contract. His hands-on aviation experience from his Army career and earlier Air Wing career was of great value in making sure the men and women in the field programs were supported and taken care of. With air programs now operating in multiple nations with conflicts on-going—Colombia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq—his experienced, steady, and reasoned approach to problems was key to the program’s success. He retired for a second time in 2014.
His second retirement allowed him time to focus on some of the things he loved; primarily his grandchildren. He also was an avid outdoorsmen, shooter, and hunter. He and his son hunted every season.
In spite of his chronic medical issues and being fully disabled, according to Veterans Administration standards, Robert enjoyed an active life with his wife, his children, and his grandchildren.
Robert A. Palmer touched many lives, and all them positively. You’ve heard the expression “he would give you the shirt off his back.” It must have originated from someone who knew Robert. From student pilots he trained, seasoned pilots he flew with, maintenance personnel he coached and worked with, foreign nation pilots from several Latin American countries he trained, to his colleagues on the Air Wing staff—and of course, his family and friends; all held him in the highest regard. He served as an example to us all of selfless service to nation and his family. He will be sorely missed by many. Godspeed, Robert.
A memorial service for Robert will be held Monday, June 5, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, 5525 US Highway 1 North, Mims, Florida.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FloridaMemorialFH-Gardens.com for the Palmer family.
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