Obituary of George Michael Palmer

G. Michael Palmer, 74, of Morgantown, passed away Saturday, April 29th at Ruby Memorial Hospital.  He was born October 27, 1942 in Wheeling, WV, the son of the late Ernest Ray and Leona Maxine (Smith) Palmer. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Judith Klingberg Palmer, who passed away August 2, 2011.

Mike, as he preferred to be called, was a 1965 graduate of West Liberty State University (B.S., Physics) and West Virginia University (M.S., '67, Ph.D., '71 Nuclear Physics).  He started his teaching career at Bethany College in Bethany, WV as a professor of Physics before returning to West Virginia University to work in the College of Engineering, department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE). While teaching in MAE, Mike worked on a Department of Transportation mobile emissions project, and developed software for the College of Engineering's and WVU's Office of Admissions and Records. Mike was a longtime member of the WVU Faculty Senate and served as advisor to numerous students preparing and defending thesis papers and dissertations. He earned Outstanding Teacher awards for MAE three times during his career.  Mike retired from WVU in 2003.  He remained connected to the university after retirement in part by teaching graduate level classes.  Mike particularly enjoyed working on the annual Balloon Satellite Course for which he developed all of the course data acquisition hardware and software.  

In his free time, Mike was a life-long Amateur Radio operator, more often known as a Ham radio operator. First earning his license when he was 15-years-old, Mike was a member of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) for over 40 years.  He was an active member of the Monongalia Wireless Association (MWA), serving in multiple capacities over the years, twice earning Amateur of the Year awards. On behalf of MWA, he often taught courses to those preparing to take the Amateur Radio licensure exam.  In 2009, he was nominated to join the ARRL A-1 Operator Club.  Along with his fellow Hams, Mike participated in ARRL Field Day for more than three decades and especially enjoyed attending area HamFests with his friends.  He and his wife Judy were also active volunteers with Mountaineer Spay Neuter Assistance Program (M-SNAP). 

Mike is survived by his daughters, Michelle Palmer of Germantown, MD and Karen Palmer Wolff and her husband, Daniel, of Washington, D.C. and grandchildren, Grace and Augustin Wolff, also of Washington, D.C.  He is also survived by many cousins whom he held fondly in his heart.

Friends and family will be received at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., Morgantown, on Friday, May 5th from 4-7 PM and again on Saturday, May 6th from 10 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11 AM.  Private interment will take place at East Oak Grove Cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.

 

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