Earl Frank Palmer

Earl's exuberance and intellect have made a mark on me and so many. His ability to communicate the truth and love of Christ was astounding. Some of his most memorable teachings for me were from a study in Romans where he explained that there is sin and grace but God's grace is bigger than the sin and a study on Revelations where he explained that the key to understanding Revelations is to focus on the verses that are clear and easy to understand rather than get lost in all the details. My spirit has been revived listening to his memorial service; thank you for sharing about Earl as a pastor, a husband, a father and a friend. Hi ministry will continue. Much love to all the family.

Earl's zest and enthusiasm for life, literature and God's word was infectious. Like the loves and fishes, it grew and spread way beyond all measure. Earl had an immeasurable impact for spreading the love and wisdom of God and his kingdom. I have many fond memories of spending time with the Palmer family in El Cerrito. May God provide his comfort beyond all understanding to all of you.

A beautiful celebration of life for you dad and husband. Sending hugs to the family from the Weinstein family in CA.

Earl is the most influential teacher of our lives. We are still trying to practice all that he taught us. Our condolences to all your family. We are so grateful for his amazing life and work. We are sad today, but we are glad knowing his teachings will always be with us.

Dave and I grew in our faith through the sermons Pastor Earl Palmer preached at UPC sharing Scripture, word studies, stories, humor, poetry and JOY in the Lord. We attended conversations about CS Lewis, classes with John Medina, and Word & Worship. He blessed all who were blessed to know and hear him. May the Palmer family feel God’s love and comfort.

Earl's preaching, teaching, and writings have spurred on and deepened my faith so much. I am deeply grateful for his transparent presentation of the gospel which first wins our respect then brings us face to face with the God who loves us and has saved us by his grace. Our entire family has been moved by Earl's message of Good News!

In my 20s, my roommates and I would spend hours after each Sunday night service debriefing and dissecting Earl's teachings. It was such a significant time in our lives and Earl informed my faith and instructed me in substantial ways. Thank you.

I saw in both Seattle and DC how he made everyone he met feel seen and loved—and I know he did the same everywhere else he went

When I was a new grad student at Berkeley in 1983, I showed up 1/2 hour early at FPC my first Sunday due to a miscommunication, and was standing around awkwardly outside. A short, enthusiastic man saw my plight and came up and welcomed me -- of course it was Earl. I was blessed by his preaching for the next 5 years, where his exposition of a Christ-centered faith did more than any other human ever to bring me into whatever meager level of Christian maturity I have reached in life. It was from him (channeling Barth among others) that I learned to keep Jesus at the center, which has been a great anchor through the turmoil of life and church through the decades.

He was a wonderful preacher and teacher.
He was a strong advocate for the music of the Cathedral Choir at UPC.

I'm so grateful for the beautiful legacy of love that Earl has given this world. If not for God's love distributed throughout Berkeley, California, through Earl, I would not have my husband, who was drawn to God over and over through Earl's ministry. God, thank you for all that you gave us through your servant Earl.

I worked at World Vision in the Faith & Development programs team for many years. It seems like in so many conversations about our work, I'd find myself quoting something Earl had said through the many years of his UPC sermons. One day I quoted Earl and then looked at my WV boss and said, "I guess I quote Earl Palmer quite a bit, don't I?" He just laughed and was like "You just realized that?"

I learned so much from Earl and he was a true role model in understanding and living out the "grand positive" of Jesus' words.

I thank my God for Earl as he brought my husband to Christ through his teaching. As a result, my husband's siblings also came to Christ. I love rereading the numerous Earl sermon note journals I have. The teachings remain solid as God's word does not come back void. Peace & blessings to Shirley & the Palmer kids.

It was always such a treat to have Earl preach at First Presbyterian Church Tacoma. His Sunday school class on Romans was exceptional. Praying for peace and comfort for his whole family.

Earl's confidence in the gospel was infectious. And so much of First Pres Berkeley shaped me as a new believer - opening up the Scriptures, the commitment to university ministries, to summer missions, to forming global Christians. Thank you Lord for giving us all Earl and his family.

Fair winds and following seas, your guidance will be treasured.

Such an articulate overview of Earl’s life increases the already great admiration and gratitude I feel for Earl, both as a grounded person and as an anointed teacher – realizations inspired by years of humbling observations of Earl in action.

Earl’s wit, intellect and passion for the truth of scripture and his ability to communicate with amazing clarity was life changing for me, a Biblically illiterate college student who attended Calvin Club in the late 50’s and early 60’s. He made the Bible come alive and it wasn’t long before I committed my life to Christ and began to grow into a lifelong adventure of faith in Jesus. Later on when I married Jim, I learned that he, too, had been positively impacted by Earl’s gift of teaching a few years before. We are grieved that his family and friends have lost this remarkable man, but we can only imagine the joy and laughter he’s brought to his heavenly home. We’ll see you again, Earl!

Earl has been such an encourager to me, teacher, friend, from the very first day I met him at the University of Maryland while he was teaching a C.S. Lewis course on the chronicles of Narnia. Through my 42 years in PCUSA ministry, I continued to be strengthened, encouraged, enlightened, and inspired by this great servant of our Lord. “eternal rest grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him.”