Jerry Philip Palmer was born in Boonville, NY on April 5, 1944 to Gerald and Veronica (Koloseus) Palmer. His spirit left us on February 28, 2024, coincidentally the same day his father was born.

He was the first of four boys, all of whom went into the field of healthcare like their parents. Jerry attended Harper College in NY before attending Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse for medical school. Finishing second in his class and earning the coveted AOA award for excellence, he then attended internal medicine residency at Dartmouth College in NH before capping his formal training in an endocrinology fellowship at the University of Washington. He was recruited by Robert H. Williams MD, the head of the division and whose name graces the textbook of endocrinology. Following fellowship, Jerry remained at the UW as a junior faculty member, steadily rising through the academic ranks over 44 years before he retired in 2019.

His academic accomplishments were legion and several were very important. Opening the Diabetes Care Center at UW was a landmark achievement. This center of excellence became the standard bearer for diabetes care and was a great source of pride. It also served as the impetus for what today is the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute which blends both clinical and research in diabetes. He was also a prominent contributor to the largest study ever conducted which proved controlling blood sugar helped prevent complications from diabetes. Until that point, this was believed but had never been proven. But chief among his accomplishments was the discovery of insulin autoantibodies which garnered him a nomination by international colleagues for a Nobel Prize in Medicine. This important finding helps predict type 1 diabetes in children and is widely used throughout Medicine. Although his family knew of this honor, it was his wish not to broadcast the information, completely in keeping with his unassuming style. Always more comfortable as a careful listener than one with an urgent need to speak, Jerry could be counted on for his counsel, wisdom, and integrity.

Outside of work his other passion was his family. Jerry and Christine (Ferrall) Palmer married in 1975 and blended their families together, eventually numbering eight children once they adopted their son, Michael and granddaughter, Bethany. He spent as much time as possible at their island property refuge in the south Puget Sound, building memories and influencing countless lives. Aerial displays of flapjack flipping, waterskiing on the Sound, plying the waters in all manner of watercrafts, and building bonfires on the beach were among some of the treasured memories of time spent on Herron Island. In winters, the family would spend nearly every weekend skiing. This was made possible by his introduction to the Ski Patrol which culminated in him heading the doctor patrol. He taught all his children (and wife) to ski and would commonly be seen leading an S-shaped snake of ducklings down the mountain.

In 1986, he melded work and family in a yearlong sabbatical to Denmark where he furthered his bench research while making countless friends and building richer memories together. Astute readers will recognize this feat was accomplished in his early 40's.

Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Bliss (Don) Oberg, Billy Kittel, Robert (Kim) Palmer, Deanna Palmer, Ben Palmer, Jerry (Diana) Palmer, Michael Palmer, Bethany (Connor) Bean, and many grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as his brothers Andrew (Sharon) Palmer, Foster (Lisa) Palmer, and Jan (Debbie) Palmer.

The family wishes to thank the many physicians and caregivers who helped Jerry along the way. In particular, his cardiologist Dr. Peter Kudenchuk, was a steadfast partner for many years.

Services will be held at St. Luke's Lutheran Church (515 S. 312th St; Federal Way, WA 98003) on Saturday March 9 at 10 AM. Reception to follow.

If desired, flowers may be sent to the church. Memorial donations may be directed to the UW Medicine Diabetes Institute.