Walter Palmer

WALTER GLENN PALMER 1918 - 2011 Walter Glenn Palmer reached the end of life's journey on July 26, 2011. He was born on April 5, 1918 in the small community of Newburg, Iowa to Walter Alden Palmer and Pearl Wickham Palmer. The sixth of eight children, he grew up attending Newburg Consolidated School and working with his father in the carpentry and building trade. He graduated as salutatorian from the Newburg Class of 1935 and went on to attend Grinnell College and later Polytechnic College in Oakland, California until his induction into the U.S. Army in March of 1941. He served in the European Theater of Operations, participating in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He was discharged in December of 1945 as a Warrant Officer J.G. In June of 1942, while stationed in Haverty Grace, Maryland, Glenn married Eileen Hale, a lovely girl from Vinita, Oklahoma who he met while in school in Grinnell. Their first child, James Glenn Palmer arrived in 1943. After leaving the Army, Glenn and his young family moved to Ames, Iowa where he obtained his B.S. in Architectural Engineering from Iowa State University, receiving the highest scholastic record in the Architectural Engineering curriculum of the Class of 1948. While completing his degree, he was inducted into Tau Sigma Delta Honorary Fraternity for Architecture and Allied Arts. Glenn, Eileen and Jim then moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma where he began his career with Phillips Petroleum Company as an Architectural Design Engineer. His work included design of the Adams Building, the Phillips Building, numerous office plans and conversions and the design of Hillcrest Country Club. The Palmers expanded their family in 1952 with the blessed birth of daughter Gina Myrlene Palmer. From 1971 through 1977, Glenn and Eileen lived in London, England where he designed and supervised construction of the living quarters on the Ekofisk Offshore drilling project in the North Sea - a joint venture of Phillips Petroleum and the Norwegian government. While based in England, Glenn and Eileen made many new friends and enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. Upon return to live in Bartlesville, the Palmers resumed their extremely busy and active membership and participation in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Besides making many lifelong friends, Glenn served as Deacon, Elder (becoming Elder Emeritus) and Chairman of the Board. Glenn was instrumental in the maintenance of the church structure. He assisted in the design and supervision as additions were made to the church. Glenn was a proud member of the Society of Professional Engineers, had been involved in the Jaycees and maintained a social membership of the Hillcrest Country Club. The Palmers have been generous in their support of Woolaroc, the American Heart Association and many other causes. Glenn was a member of the American Legion and displayed his pride in God and country by flying the colors outside the family home. Glenn retired from Phillips in 1985 after 37 years of dedicated service and continued consulting in ensuing years. Glenn was preceded in death by parents, Pearl and Walter Palmer; brothers, Lloyd, Don and Verle Palmer and sisters, Lucile, Maxine, Margaret and Ester. Survivors include his beloved wife, Eileen, of 69 years; son, Jim Palmer and his wife Billie Rodely of Oklahoma City; daughter, Gina Schiebl and her husband Paul of Houston, TX; grandchildren: Michael Palmer (Darnyl) of Atlanta; Laura Webb (Matt) of Phoenix and Will Schiebl of Houston and great-grandchildren Isaac and Sadie Palmer and Aaden, Allison and Andrew Webb. W. Glenn Palmer was a man of broad intellectual and practical knowledge. He had compassion for his fellow man and was a cheerful and helpful soul - and he was nobody's fool … ever. Glenn was a loving and devoted husband and parent, a tireless babysitter and play companion for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a role model we would all do well to emulate. He is deeply missed. The family acknowledges loving care and friendship provided by neighbors, the Elder community and members of the First Christian Church, and professional health care providers.

Visitation Details

Friday, July 29th, 2011 6:00pm - 8:00pm, Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home

Service Details

Saturday, July 30th, 2011 11:00am, First Christian Church - Bartlesville

Interment Details

Fairview Cemetery - Vinita