D.R. Palmer is a bonus gift that came with Katie. He has stepped up and helped in countless ways with projects inside and outside our church community. He is retired from the business world but very much engaged with life. Here are his Q&A responses.
Q. What was your educational background and career path?
A. I have a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University. I worked for IBM in their Printing Systems Division in Boulder, CO right out of school, and for my whole career until they sold our division to Ricoh. I continued for RIcoh for about seven years more and retired in 2018. I started as a hardware microcode engineer and moved from that into software engineering, and then became an I/T Architect designing custom systems to meet individual customer needs. We created software to manage print shops large and small and to keep track of every mail piece and optimize mailing and manufacturing costs.
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. Wichita, KS
Q. Tell us about your family?
A. I have one brother. He lives in Kansas City, MO with his wife, Janie. Katie and I have two daughters. Emily lives in Milwaukee, WI with her husband Pat, and their four children ages 3 to 13. Tegan lives in Aurora, CO with her wife Rosalie. They are expecting a child in late February of next year.
Q. What are you passionate about and how is that reflected in your life?
A. I love music and have since I was a kid. I have sung in several choirs, and I play piano for my own enjoyment but not for performance. There is something about music (and all art, really) that can connect us with others at a deep level beyond words.
I enjoy stories, listening, reading, and watching. I am a fan of science fiction/fantasy (The Expanse, anyone? Strange New Worlds?) but also anything that is well-written and gives you something to think about.
Spiritually, I am drawn to mystics who experience God in their lives directly and are transformed by the experience. In 2017, I completed a two-year program of study at the Living School of the Center for Action and Contemplation with Fr. Richard Rohr, Cynthia Bourgeault and James Finley as master teachers.
Q. If you had a motto, what would it be?
A. In any situation, what’s the most loving choice to make? Go do that.
Q. What are some of you church activities?
A. Elder currently serving on Session, Chair of Worship and Music committee, Co-Chair of the Joint Operating Team (JOT) that oversees the Old Town Mission Community Center, Tech crew lead for the AV Center, and other electronics in the church, Samaritan House meal preparer, worship leader, and choir member.
Q. In what ways are you involved in community activities?
A. NMHU Madrigal Choir member and worker at Mobile Food Pantry food distribution monthly
