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SIOUX CITY | “I am sure there are those who feel it is presumptuous of me to write my own obituary, but who better to chronicle my triumphs and foibles? I stuck my tent, stood my last retreat formation and listened to Taps for the last time a few days ago (Jan. 7, 2014) as a result of natural causes (Jack Daniels, 3 star Asian food, garlic pizza and good cigars). I have included the picture above because I could not get clearance to use the one that did me the most justice (Clint Eastwood at the age of 45).

My earliest triumph was being born to my wonderful parents, Kitty and Vance Palmer, on Jan. 5, 1931, in Sioux City. They had to contend with my foibles for the next 18 years. My next triumph started upon enlisting in the U.S. Navy Reserve on my 17th birthday and continued through a 43 year career of active and reserve military service, which culminated in my retirement from the U.S. Army Reserve as a major general in 1991.

My greatest triumph was meeting Lyn, the love of my life and best friend, in Boston in 1953 and marrying her in 1955. The 54 years that we had together, like good wine, did get better with age.

The military career was coupled with a 33 year career with the Boeing Company, which included highly gratifying assignments on the Bomarc, Minuteman, Apollo Integration, 747, and Boeing Computer Services programs.