Obituaries - Richard Dick Alfred Palmer

Richard “Dick” Alfred Palmer, 92, formerly of Lawyersville, passed away peacefully with his loving wife Joan by his side on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.

He was born on July 19, 1933, in Schenectady, New York, to Clifford and Alice (Patterson)

Palmer. On November 3, 1974, he married Joan (Canfield) Palmer, who lovingly survives him.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children: Brenda Marks (Greg) and Daniel Palmer

(Patricia); step-children: Lori Veshia (David) and Kenneth Sautter; grandchildren: Ryan Marks

(Kristy), Luke Gregory (Sandra), Zachary Gregory (Ashley), Jordan Marks (Vicki), Stephanie

Keene (Andrew), Jonathan Palmer (Shauna), and Angela Veshia; ten great-grandchildren: sisters: Beverly Brooks and Regina Collins; as well as several nieces and nephews and friends. He was preceded by his parents.

Dick was a 1951 graduate of Cobleskill High School, where he was President of his 4-H Club.

He was a dairy farmer in Cobleskill from 1943 until his retirement in 1989. During

his farming career, he received the Empire Farm Award, served as Director for and Chairman of

the Eastern Artificial Insemination Committee, was a member and coach for Future Farmers of

America, and an active member of DHIA. Over the years, he received numerous farming awards for excellence in milk production. After retiring from farming, he was a bus driver for 20 years.

A faithful member of Lawyersville Reformed Church since 1952, Dick served as a deacon, elder, and head of the Men’s Club. He was also deeply engaged in his community, serving as Justice of the Peace for the Town of Seward for eight years. In addition, he served as Chairman of the Planning Board for the Town of Seward and was a member of the Schoharie County Republican Committee.

Dick had many hobbies, including bowling in multiple leagues for more than forty years, going on cruises, and proudly showing his 1953 Chevy at car shows and outings with friends in the Schoharie Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.

All are invited to visit with Dick’s family from 4:00–6:00PM on Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Coltrain Funeral Home. LLC 134 River Street, Middleburgh, NY 12122 and to the Memorial service at 1:00PM on Sunday, October 12, 2025 at the Lawyersville Reformed Church, 109 Phillip Schuyler Rd, Cobleskill, NY 12043 

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lawyersville Reformed Church, PO 421 Cobleskill, NY 12043 or Schoharie Valley Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America (SVRAACA), PO Box 411, Cobleskill NY 12043

Please visit www.coltrainfuneralhome.com to share online condolences with Dick’s family.