Roger Winkler Palmer (D.A.D.) died peacefully at home in Bardsdale, California at the age of 81 on Monday, February 5, 2018. He was born January 31, 1937 in Oxnard, CA and grew up in Bardsdale, CA. A graduate of Fillmore High School in 1955, he earned his BA from Pomona College in 1959 and a teaching credential from U.C. Berkley in 1960. While teaching high school in Lodi, CA he met Roberta Hirschler whom he proposed to a short 2 months later, marrying on August 22, 1964. The newlyweds then settled in Bardsdale, CA where Roger accepted a position at Fillmore High School in 1965 and eventually taught there for 30 years. Roger would explain that he taught every subject except language, music or art. During this time, he earned an MS in Education from the University of Southern California in 1971 by designing and implementing a work experience education program for Fillmore Unified School District, while also serving as district coordinator for the California Association of Work Experience Educators for 25 years. Roger also coached and officiated multiple sports and, in his spare time, he was a citrus farmer and also served as U.S. Army Reserves captain, not to mention being a dedicated husband and father of four.
An involved and caring family man, he and Roberta purchased, settled into and raised their family in the beautiful home with sweeping views overlooking citrus groves and the Santa Clara River Valley. The couple enjoyed camping and fishing with their four children, and eventual grandchildren, in the legendary “Condor” motorhome. Roberta, the children and the Condor survived three trips with D.A.D. across the country and frequented the lakeside campground at Gull Lake in the Eastern Sierras. Roger and Roberta enjoyed international travel, particularly to Europe including visits with their German exchange son, Andreas Rohleder and family. Later in life, Roger did his best to attend swim meets, tennis matches, recitals, hockey games and equestrian events to watch his grandchildren who always loved his encouragement and presence.
Roger often stated that he was here because of the Bardsdale Methodist Church - which is true. His grandfather, Dr. Edwin Palmer, served as pastor of the church from 1925 – 1930 and raised his father, Graham, who eventually married Beulah Moehl Palmer. Graham and Beulah raised Roger and older brother Dale in the little house across the street from the church, surrounded by family citrus orchards and a supportive community.
Roger is survived by his wife, Roberta Hirschler Palmer; daughter Elizabeth Palmer Doolittle and granddaughters Erin and Sarah Doolittle of Redlands, CA; Rosalynn Palmer Scheck and her husband Joe Scheck, grandchildren Katy, Tori Jo and Henry Scheck of Camarillo, CA; Daughter Rebecca Palmer of Thousand Oaks, CA; son Dr. Stephen Palmer and his wife Jennie Kowalski Palmer and grandsons Evan, Scott and Troy Palmer; and brother, Dale Palmer of Bardsdale, CA.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Graham and Beulah Palmer of Bardsdale, CA; brother-in-law Phillip Hirschler of Fairfield Iowa; and sister-in-law Mary Ann Gathright Palmer of Bardsdale, CA.
A memorial is scheduled for 2:00p.m. on February 24, 2018 at the Bardsdale United Methodist Church. Pastor Bethany Carpenter will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Roger’s life. Memorial donations may be made to the Roger Palmer Memorial Scholarship fund through the Fillmore High School Alumni Association P.O. Box 385, Fillmore, CA 93016