Obituaries
Dr. Ralph E. Palmer
Date of Death: January 5, 2014
Viewing/Service:The family will receive visitors at Rhome Funeral Home on Friday, January 10, from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The service and celebration of Ralph’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in memory of Ralph E. Palmer be made to the Monessen Public Library, to the Monessen Salvation Army, or to West Virginia Wesleyan College.
Photo caption: Dr. Ralph E. Palmer, Jr., in a photo taken by Lindsay Palmer on October 26, 2013.
Obituary:
Dr. Ralph E. Palmer, Jr. of Monessen passed away on January 5, 2014, at the age of ninety-six. He lived a vigorous and meaningful life, working as a dentist for more than fifty-five years and serving his community and his country.
“Doc” Palmer was born in Monessen on November 19, 1917, the son of Dr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Palmer, Sr. He attended Monessen schools, was active in scouting, and received the Eagle Scout award. Ralph met his wife, Helen Conaway, at West Virginia Wesleyan College and graduated in 1940. He received his D.D.S. degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1943. During and after World War II (1943-1946), Ralph served in the Philippines and Japan as a Captain with the U.S. Army Dental Corps and received the Bronze Star for meritorious service.
Following his military service, Dr. Palmer returned to Monessen with Helen and their first child, two-year-old David. Ralph, also known as “Bud,” became a partner in his father’s dental practice and involved himself in community service work. He was a member of the Monessen Rotary Club for over fifty years, and served as President from 1955-1956. . Rotary International later recognized him as a Paul Harris Fellow for his commitment to “world understanding and peace.” In 1959, he was appointed as one of seven trustees responsible for directing the construction of the Monessen Public Library at its current Donner Avenue location. He also served on the Dental Board of the Charleroi-Monessen Hospital and as Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School for the United Methodist Church in Monessen. He was a member of Tri-County Masonic Lodge #252. He was a supporter of numerous nonprofits and during the 1950’s and 60’s could be seen on Donner Avenue at Christmas time ringing the Salvation Army’s bell to collect donations. In his later years, he delivered Meals on Wheels. He was a constant supporter of West Virginia Wesleyan College and, even in his nineties, he attended Emeritus Club meetings and Homecoming.
Ralph enjoyed nature and the outdoors. In the 1950’s and 60’s, he and Helen took their four children on camping trips to nearly twenty U.S. National Parks as well as to numerous State Parks. Well into his mid-nineties Dr. Palmer continued to read about natural history and the sciences. But of all his many interests, his enduring passion was flying. In 1969 he earned his pilot’s license and built a hangar for his plane at the Rostraver Airport where he forged life-long friendships with many fellow pilots and their families. He joined the Experimental Aircraft Association and became a member for life. “Doc” continued to fly until he was eighty-eight-years-old. He wrote at that time in the West Virginia Wesleyan Alumni newsletter, “I am folding my wings after 2,166 hours of delightful flying.”
Ralph E. Palmer, Jr., was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; his son, David; and his sister, Margaret Palmer Cupples. He is survived by his children, Ralph E. Palmer, III (Rick), of Monessen; Dr. Susan E. Palmer of Edmond, Oklahoma; and Patricia Palmer Aptaker of Santa Barbara, California; and by daughter-in-law, Sharon Sue Palmer, of Richmond, Indiana, and son-in-law, Evan Aptaker, of Santa Barbara, California. He is also survived by grandchildren Jennifer K. Palmer of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Andrew Palmer and his wife Lindsay of Lafayette, Indiana, and by great-grandchildren Carter, Adilyn and Beckham Palmer of Lafayette, Indiana. His nephews, Dr. Howard P. Cupples of Annapolis, Maryland, and Dr. William Cupples of Macomb, Illinois, and his brother-in-law, Col. Richard E. Conaway, USAF (Ret.), of Annandale Virginia, also survive him.
