Martin Palmer

I first met Martin just days after I arrived in Anchorage from Mississippi, ending a career in emergency medicine, to study health sciences (HIV) at the University of Alaska (UAA). While we shared many fun times he was both my friend and mentor. Aside from our late light discussions of southern manners and the strange fruit of the Deep South he would floor me with his readings of poetry in both English and German. More importantly he allowed me to accept myself, encouraged me to peruse my...

I just learned of Martin's passing....ironic, I was awaiting news of the annual birthday gathering and just thinking of my dear Martin so very much. We shared almost 40 years of friendship always starting where we left off when we connected after sometimes long partings. I love the description "like honey dripping off a spoon" so perfectly true!! I will miss that voice and much more. There's a Martin shaped hole in the world.

Dr. Martin Palmer will be especially remembered and cherished by the Transgender community of Anchorage, long before most people knew what and who Transgender people were or what that meant and most doctors wouldn't and didn't treat us, Dr. Palmer did and was at that time the only doctor in Alaska who prescribed hormones for Transsexuals. He understood the importance of being who you really are inside. He always treated everyone with the utmost respect and had a wonderful sense of humor. He...

Martin was a wonderful, supportive member of the community and he left a wonderful written legacy along with the people he touched on his journey. One of the nicest people you would ever want to meet and by far one of the most interesting. You will be missed greatly and will not be forgotten.

Martin was a warm, generous man who cared deeply about people, animals and the environment. How wonderful that he had such an impact on people in Alaska as well as in many distant places. He wanted to make sure that he lived long enough to vote last fall and I know he was happy to see in his lifetime the election of the first African-American president. Though I only met him a few years ago I was so glad that I had the chance to get to know him. His wishes regarding a memorial gathering...

Martin Palmer was a very caring person, not only to his patients and students but to pets also. He loved going for walks with his Standard Poodle and gave generously to pet organizations. May he be surrounded by all the love he gave to others.

I had him for English 111 in the summer of 2003. Great teacher. I'm sorry to hear of his passing.