Richard E. "Dick" Palmer Sr.

Richard E. ("Dick") Palmer Sr. passed away peacefully at home Monday, November 1, 2010 with his wife, family and friends at his side, after having waged a determined battle against cancer for many years. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, the former Mary Barbara Stegner, whom he married September 13, 1958, in Honesdale.
In addition to his wife, Dick is survived by his children, Richard Jr. and wife Susan of Honesdale, Robert and companion Jane Waddell of Honesdale, Catherine of Alexandria,Virginia, Timothy and wife Nicola of Chester, New Jersey, and Christopher and wife Renee of Honesdale; twelve grandchildren, Michael, Stephen, and Jeremy Palmer, Zachary Edmunds and Matthew and Ethan Richmond, Xavier, Kashia, and Raislyn Palmer, and Madison, Jordan, and Sawyer Palmer; and his brother, Rusty and wife Marie.
Born in Honesdale to Russell and Augusta Williams Palmer on January 26, 1938, Dick was a lifelong resident of this area. He was a graduate of Honesdale High School, Class of 1955, and later served and was honorably discharged from the Pennsylvania National Guard. Dick began an auto repair business, at the age of 24, in a one car garage adjacent to his home. He soon constructed a larger facility, also adjacent to his home. Business flourished, with the invaluable assistance of wife Mary, and a much larger facility was purchased in Indian Orchard in 1969. The ensuing years saw multiple expansions of the facilities and lines of business, resulting in the current Dick Palmer and Sons Truck Service, a family-owned business where three of Dick's sons, two grandsons, and numerous employees make their livings.
Dick was a man of many interests and hobbies. Starting in the 1960s, he was very involved along with his wife in building, erecting, and monitoring Eastern Bluebird, American Kestral, and Wood Duck nesting boxes across Wayne and Pike counties and was instrumental in helping to restore their populations. Soon
thereafter, Dick took to raising champion Morgan horses, the bloodlines of which are now much sought-after. He very much enjoyed fishing, hiking, and canoeing with his children, and later grandchildren, and, in the winter months, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and snowmobiling. Dick found one of his great
loves in his mid-40s, when he began bicycling throughout the area, sometimes covering over one hundred miles in a single day. He soon became a highly competitive cyclist, being sought out by multi-sport teams to compete in the cycling portion of regional competitions. Dick enjoyed a great appreciation of American History, as evidenced by his collection of photos and books of the Civil War, D&H Canal, and local history. Dick was also a competitive target shooter during winter months spent in Florida and became a member of the 50 Yard Club.
In his semi-retirement years, Dick and wife spent many months on the road with their motor home, exploring most of the United States and large portions of Canada. After his illness caused him to stay closer to home, Dick turned to refurbishing old and discarded trucks, which gave him great joy and
satisfaction. He completed his most appreciated project just a few months before his death, an orange 1969 Peterbilt "Needlenose", seen at many award winning truck shows. He was also actively involved in his business to the very end.
He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 AM at St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery. Friends may visit Hessling Funeral Home, 428 Main St. Honesdale on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8:30. Condolences can be made online at www.hesslingfuneralhome.com.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD 57326 or St. Labre Indian School, 1000 Tongue River Rd., Ashland, MT 59003.