Dr. Wilfred Palmer

Dr. Wilfred Palmer died on the morning of Sunday, October 11, 2015 after a brief illness. He was born on September 23, 1931 to the late Lizzette and Jewell Sidney Palmer in Goose Creek, Texas. He remained in his beloved home state of Texas to receive both his B.A. and M.A. degrees in Physics from Rice University in Houston, Texas in 1952 and 1953, respectively, and his Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Texas, Austin Texas, in 1955. From 1955 to 1958, Dr. Palmer worked as a Physics Research Associate at the University of Illinois where he studied radiation damage and plastic deformation of metals. He then moved to Yorktown Heights, New York until 1964 where he researched properties of magnetic materials for IBM Corporation at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center. This was followed by two years at Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he taught graduate and undergraduate physics. In 1966 he accepted a position with the Center For Naval Analyses in Arlington, Virginia. This allowed him to fulfill his desire to contribute to the solution of fleet defense through his development of early computer models of air combat engagement and electronic warfare, and statistical analyses of the operational performance of fleet defensive reactions. He retired to the Columbia, South Carolina area in 2007 to be with his small extended family. The things that brought him the greatest pleasure were Washington Redskins football games, his adoring two nieces, playing the oboe, movies, classical music and a good martini. He had a quick, dry wit, endearing eccentricities and a rare readiness for new adventures. Dr. Palmer is survived by his older brother, Sidney Jewell Palmer (Lanny Sullivan Palmer); nieces, Ann Palmer Benson (David Bankston) and Mary Benson Keenan (Billy Keenan); grand-nephews, Joe Keenan (Julie) and Palmer Keenan (fiancée, Celia Gribbin); great-grand-nephew, Liam Keenan; and cousin, Lola Kay Palmer Hood. The family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Palmer’s loving and patient caregivers, Thelma Coe and Essie Smith. They are also grateful to entire outstanding staff and caring residents at Laurel Crest. Especially involved in his care were staff members Cassandra Carter, Jackie Sims, Veronica Cunningham and Catherine Goodwine, each of whom contributed to his contentment. A private service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to South Caroliniana Library Restoration Fund, USC Educational Foundation, 1027 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29208.

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Dr. Wilfred Palmer

September 23, 1931 - October 11, 2015