Richard Palmatier

Jul 22, 1929 -

Aug 19, 2024

Richard "Dick" Palmatier, born July 22, 1929, a longtime Alaskan, died on Aug. 19, 2024, in Anchorage, Alaska. Dick graduated from Watertown High School in Watertown, N.Y., in 1947. He spent two years at Syracuse University. He met and married Elaine Todd in May 1949. Elaine had entered a nursing program where married students were not allowed, so the marriage was kept a secret. They had a daughter, Valerie. She was premature and died of a hospital acquired infection on Easter of that year. The following year, Dick and Elaine enrolled together at the Utica State Hospital Nursing School and graduated in 1953 as Registered Nurses. They had their first son, Tod, and he was followed by their second son, Mark, both born in Utica. Dick worked at the Utica State Hospital as a head nurse in the admitting service until December 1956, when he applied and received a commission as a First Lieutenant in the USAFNC and took his family to his first assignment at Scott Air Force Base, Ill. In 1958, he received a transfer to Elmendorf AFB 5040th Hospital in Anchorage. Coming to Alaska was always his dream. They arrived in April 1958, and lived on Base until 1962, when Dick was released from active duty to help open the new Alaska Psychiatric Institute. He remained in the AF Reserves until 1968, reaching the rank of Major. During his time of active duty at Elmendorf, he and Elaine had two more sons, John and Lloyd. At API, Dick was a supervising nurse and admitted the first patient to the hospital when it opened in fall 1962. In 1968, he and Elaine parted amicably and both remarried. Dick married Twila Wilson who was, in addition to being his wife, was his best friend. Also in 1968, Dick went to work at MacLaughlin Youth Center as a Youth Counselor 3. In 1974, he received his Bachelor of Arts in sociology/psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Twila and Dick had a daughter, Malinda, named after a dear friend's daughter. Dick was always an active outdoor person who loved hunting and fishing as much as anyone could. He spent his retirement pursuing his hobbies and enjoying his family. He once said he had no regrets about his life because, when faced with choices, he made the ones that seemed the best with the knowledge he possessed at the time. He is preceded in death by his infant daughter, Valerie; mother and father, Marion and Clement Palmatier; and sister, Jean Pullus. He survived by his wife, his children and their spouses, 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. His wisdom guided his family through life's challenges and his presence brought comfort and joy to those around him. He was not only a father, but a mentor and a friend, whose love and guidance will be deeply missed.

No Memorial is planned for other than immediate family.