Edmund L. (Ted) Palmer died on January 27, 2021 in his Ann Arbor, MI home at the age of 97.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 73 years, Elaine M. (Hadley) Palmer. Born in Toledo, OH to Mabel and Herbert Palmer, he lived most of his life in Ann Arbor, where his father had a successful photography business, Palmer Studios, in the Michigan Theater Building. After graduating from Ann Arbor High School in 1941, he served in the CBI (China Burma India) Theater of War during World War II. He was a military policeman and motorcycle dispatch rider at Kurmitola Air Base in India, where transport and bomber planes—including those of the famous Flying Tigers—took off to fly “the Hump,” the eastern end of the Himalaya Mountains. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater ribbon with three bronze stars for his military service.
After the war, he lived briefly in California, where he delivered blocks of ice to homes and restaurants and managed a bowling alley. After returning to Michigan, he earned both his BA and MA degrees and began a long career of teaching at Slauson Junior High School in Ann Arbor. He is fondly remembered by his students for stories that brought history alive, field trips to Tigers Stadium and Greenfield Village, and visits to his own “general store,” a recreation of a 19th century establishment.
After retirement, he enjoyed riding his motorcycle and driving his 1930 Model A Ford. He created beautiful gardens at his home, and spent many hours at local golf courses, where he maintained a highly-respectable eight handicap. He put his many home repair skills to work, helping friends and neighbors in Ann Arbor and on Fripp Island in South Carolina, where he and his wife maintained a vacation home for 36 years. On the island, he and his wife and dogs walked on the beach, enjoyed the native wildlife, and golfed at the island golf course.
In addition to his wife, Elaine, he is survived by several nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and many close friends in Michigan, California, Tennessee, and Georgia. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings and several beloved cocker spaniels.
A funeral service is scheduled on Thursday, February 4, 2021, 1:00 p.m., at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, Reverend Robert Livingston officiating. Visitation is on the same day at the funeral home, noon until the time of service. Funeral directors are following current Michigan Department of Health and Human Services guidelines for COVID-19; only 10 people are allowed to pay their respects at one time—those attending will be instructed accordingly, and masks must be worn. Interment is private at Washtenong Memorial Park, Ann Arbor. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Humane Society of Huron Valley, 3100 Cherry Hill Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
