Search by Name

Add a Memory

Send Flowers

Make a Donation

Share Obituary

Ray W. Palmer

FUNERAL HOME

BECKER RITTER ELMBROOK FUNERAL HOME

14075 W. North Ave.

Brookfield, Wisconsin

Ray Palmer Obituary

Husband, father, teacher, mentor and friend Ray W. Palmer left this world too soon on October 5, 2005; surrounded by his family following a sudden illness at the age of 61 years. Ray was born in Freeport, IL.

Ray began a distinguished career with the Milwaukee School of Engineering in 1968 as a lecturer, progressing on to Professor, Vice Chairman, then Chairman of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Department in 1984. He served as Vice President of Academics for two terms, 1994 to 1995 and 2000 to 2001. Ray was a Registered Professional Engineer in Wisconsin, he has been a consultant to numerous companies and has industrial experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell.

He is survived by his loving wife Sharon. Special father of Mark (Dawn) Palmer and Nicole (Paul) Schmitt. Further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends and his two hounds who provided companionship and entertainment during his retirement.

Visitation Friday, October 7 at the Funeral Home from 4 PM until the Service at 7:30 PM. Private family interment at Chapel Hill Cemetery in Freeport, IL. Memorials appreciated to the Ray Palmer Endowed Scholarship Fund at MSOE.

Sympathy Expressions & Directions

www.beckerritter.com

BECKER RITTER

Michael Feerick Associate

14075 W. North Avenue (262)782-5330

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel from Oct. 6 to Oct. 7, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Ray Palmer

29 Entries

Toni Ruel

November 8, 2005

I am sorry to hear of Ray's passing. I worked for Ray as a member of the EECS department Tech Support Center at MSOE for over 3 years. Ray was always quick with a smile and supportive of all faculty, staff and student body members at MSOE. I remember when he went through his wife's open-heart surgery and let me see his sensitive side. I am sure his family misses him as much if not more than that time in his life frightened him.

Reva Thompson (nee Smith)

November 5, 2005

I am sorry to hear of Ray's passing. He was always friendly and kind to everyone. We were in the same high school graduating class and would catch up with latest life happenings at the class reunions. My deepest sympothy goes to his family. He will be missed.

Bill Overton

October 31, 2005

Today, I learned that Ray Palmer has passed away. I attended Freeport High School with him our senior year. I was new to the school and Ray and I soon became good friends. I have many memories of a brilliant student, kind, gentle and a true friend. It comes as no surprise that he was very successful as a husband, father, friend and outstanding professional. I am greatly saddened to learn that he is no longer with us, but certainly has left many rich memories for his family. My sincere condolences to the Palmer family.

Ann Dekorsi

October 22, 2005

I will always remember the twinkle in Ray's eyes and his humor. He was an inspiration to me during the 13 years I worked at MSOE. I will also remember the help he gave my daughter, Sarah, when she attended MSOE. He will be missed by us and many others.

Ann Dekorsi

How you can show support

Get email updates whenever changes are made.

Send flowers

Consider sending flowers.

Add photos

Share their life with photo memories.

Plant trees

Honor them by planting trees in their memory.

Donate in Memory

Make a donation in memory of your loved one.

Share this page

Invite other friends and family to visit the page.

Don Backys

October 21, 2005

Ray, Tom Davis and I were together in our undergrad years at MSOE. I later served with Ray on the ECET Industrial Advisory Board. Ray was a great asset to the engineering world. He will be missed.

Don Backys, P.E.

Bernie Gratz

October 20, 2005

My sincerest condolences on the passing of Ray. Ray and I were students during the mid-60's at MSOE and are also both ham radio operators. We had a lot of fun together as members of W9HHX, the MSOE Amateur Radio Club. 73 & BCNU.

Shahrokh Zonoozi

October 19, 2005

My sincere condolences to the Palmer family. Mr. Palmer was always an inspiration to the MSOE community. He touched many lives, including mine, and encourage me to do what I do today. He will be missed.

S.M.Zonoozi

Betsy (Beadle) Pooley

October 18, 2005

William Andrus

October 17, 2005

My condolences to Professor Palmer's family.

I fondly remember many faculty and staff from when I was at MSOE and Professor Palmer is among them. His work and life certainly influenced me and many others and thanks are deserved, even if given posthumously.

I will pray for him.

George Haupt'68&'69

October 17, 2005

Ray Palmer a gentleman and scholar. Had the honor to attend Ray's Distinguished Alumnus Gala, Summer in the City 2004.

Gerald Ruehlow'69, Tom Davis'68, now Ray Plamer'68 all taken too young. God must have a project that requires excellent engineers.

Shajan John

October 17, 2005

Thank you Ray for your support in my early years of employment at MSOE and continued help, friendship and generosity of encouragement over the years. I will never forget them. Rest in peace my friend and best to your family.

Mary Louise Brown

October 9, 2005

Words can't express the sorrow I feel about the loss of Ray. He was truly a person of integrity. He devoted his life to MSOE and asked for very little in return. Supportive attitude, dry wit, love of Dilbert, and perseverance in spite of adversity are attributes that come to mind when I think of Ray. Sharon, Nicole, Paul and the rest of the family are in my prayers and the prayers of the seminary community here in Gettysburg. God bless you all.

Dave Knuth

October 7, 2005

Ray and I were students at MSOE in the late 60s. We were members of the now defunct fraternity Sigma Pi Rho. At our occassional fraternity parties, Ray could have always been the designated driver. He was the one who got me involved in the EET Industrial Advisory Committee at MSOE. I appreciated his friendship, his integrity, his honesty and his committment to excellence in his teaching career. I had hoped to visit with him when I was in Milwaukee for the IAC meeting on October 14. He will be missed. May our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ grant comfort to Sharon and his children.

Frank Cannon

October 7, 2005

How sad I am to learn of Ray's passing away. He was one of the finest people I have ever known and his educational contribution to thousands of students and hundreds of colleagues have changed the world in a better way forever. I will always remember the many moments I shared with Ray and his wonderful friend and colleague, Tom Davis. I often bragged that Ray and Tom were students of mine and how proud and privileged I was to have them in several of my EE classes. Knowledgeable people at MSOE were always quick to point out that they figured Ray and Tom were destined to be very successful whether they had been in my classes or not - or course, they were right. It is a terrible sadness to to have lost these two wonderful colleagues this year. I express my sincerest condolences to Sharon and the children on the loss of their husband and father

Paul Schmitt

October 6, 2005

Ray was one of the greatest people I ever met. As his son-in-law, we were very close and shared a lifetime of memories in the short 8 years I knew him. Thank you all for all your encouragement and words of support. May Christ bless you all.

Tom Wanke

October 6, 2005

My deepest condolesces to the Palmer family. Ray was a great person. I am fortunate to have had the oppurtunity to know and work with him. He gave me advice on numerous occasions and he was always willing to help you solve problems.

Michelle Eade

October 6, 2005

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Ray. I know it is hard to lose someone close, I will try to help in any way.

nicole schmitt

October 6, 2005

Thank you all for the lovely words you have written about my father. To me, my father was my hero, inspiration, and the center of my world. It is wonderful to know that he has touched so many, and through those memories he will continue to touch lives.

Patrick Augustine

October 6, 2005

I was relatively new at MSOE, but Ray welcomed me like a past "friend" and he ALWAYS lifted our office's spirits when he came over to visit and discuss issues...he was one of the nicest persons I've worked with....my thoughts and prayers go out to Ray's family....Pat

Jim Friauf

October 6, 2005

Seventeen years ago, a very special man befriended me as I began my journey at MSOE. He listened, he shared, and he cared about me as a person and a friend.

Thank you, Ray Palmer. I will miss you, and the MSOE community has lost a part of its heart and soul.

V J Meyer

October 6, 2005

I have known Ray since my freshman year at MSOE in 1970, He was an excellant instructor and a wonderful mentor. You were always welcome in his office for help or a chat. He will be missed by may here at MSOE.

Katie Klipfel

October 6, 2005

A loving husband, wonderful father, and supportive friend, that's the Ray I knew. I only knew Ray for a short time but in that time he touched my life. That chat's on the phone, the conversations on the back porch, he was a very smart man, and I am blessed to have had those experiences with him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, I love you guys.

Gene Wright

October 6, 2005

My deepest sympathies to the family. Ray was a teacher and mentor. A wonderful man who always had a smile and words of wisdom.

May his memory be eternal.

Richard Phillips

October 6, 2005

Ray was a good friend and a fellow radio amateur. He came to many of our radio club meetings at MSOE before he retired. He will be missed by all.

Jennifer Haro

October 6, 2005

Ray was an excellent mentor and advisor. He was the voice of reason when things didn't make much sense. The MSOE community will miss him truly and deeply for he was a genuinely great man.

sonya torres

October 6, 2005

My deepest condolesces to the Palmer Family. I will remember Ray was a true gentle giant, he will be greatly missed here at MSOE. May God's healing spirit be with you all in this difficult time.

Dana Grennier

October 6, 2005

Ray was always nice to me and said "Hello" when we would pass in the hall. He will be missed.

Tom Bray

October 6, 2005

Ray was a wonderful counselor and mentor. His sense of humor and observation of our human shortcomings, while leading in whatever capacity he was asked to fulfill, were extraordinary. We will miss you Ray, and our thoughts and prayers are with all of Ray's family and those who knew him well.

Showing 1 - 29 of 29 results