Bennett S. Palmer

Bennett S. Palmer, 75 of Fredericksburg, VA passed away on Thanksgiving morning after a 4-month battle with bladder cancer.

Ben grew up as a Quaker in Woodstown, NJ and was a member of the Woodstown Friends Meeting. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a degree in mathematics and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa as well as the social fraternity Sigma Pi. After graduation, Ben worked briefly as a photographer and as a computer specialist at the Women’s Hospital of Philadelphia before entering his main career at the Naval Weapons Lab in Dahlgren, VA. His favorite memories of his career there were working with a highly accomplished team on the EMPASS project. Later he worked on the AEGIS program while detailed to RCA in New Jersey.

Ben’s interests and hobbies were eclectic, served by a remarkable memory. Serious reflections and conversations concerning any genre of music, genealogy, stamp and coin collecting, books, mathematics, photography, and sports memorabilia occupied much of his leisure time. Described as a fanciful fabulist, Ben was a kind and gentle man whose creativity and quirkiness delighted and certainly left an impression on all who encountered him.

Survivors include his son Andrew (Wi) of Los Angeles, CA, brothers John Palmer (Farah) of Tucson AZ, Ed Palmer (Joi) of Savannah, GA, Jim Palmer (Maureen) of Herndon, VA, David Palmer of Raleigh, NC, sisters Kathy McGlaughlin of Spotsylvania, VA, and Tina Gemmill (Gary) of Fredericksburg, VA. Ben was predeceased by his parents Fred Shank Palmer and Elizabeth Pancoast Palmer.

A memorial service will be held in Fredericksburg, VA January 11 at Madonna House at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in Woodstown, NJ at the Friends Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to Mary Washington Healthcare Hospice.