Robert Kent Palmer, 83, of Syracuse, Utah, passed away peacefully at his home on May 7, 2024.

Bob was born August 3, 1940, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Ivan William Palmer and Eva Marie Carlsen Palmer. He grew up in Pocatello and Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Bob met Helen Louene Clifford on a blind date in October of 1961 while on leave for 20 days after returning from Okinawa with the U.S. Marine Corps. They were smitten with each other and courted during a 10-day leave in January and through letters. On June 9, 1962, Robert and Helen were married in her parents' home in Rigby, Idaho. They honeymooned in Yellowstone National Park. Bob and Helen were sealed in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple on May 17, 1972,

The family lived in Twenty-nine Palms, CA; Chesapeake, VA; San Francisco, CA, and Idaho Falls, ID. When Bob returned from Vietnam in 1970, the family lived in Rigby, ID, and Bountiful, UT, before settling in North Salt Lake, UT in 1975 to raise their children. They moved to Syracuse, UT in 1998.

Like his father before him, Bob worked as an Engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad for 34 years. He retired as a locomotive engineer in 2006.

Bob was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Scout Leader, a Ward Missionary, Stake Missionary, and for 9 years as a Ward Librarian in three different wards. Bob was an accomplished self-taught artist. He started his art career while in the U.S. Marines as a Combat Artist during the Vietnam War. He won several awards. He was a big John Wayne fan.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Helen; son, Charlton Robert Palmer; infant daughter, Sue Ann Palmer; sister, Nancy Ludwig; infant sister Kathryn Palmer; and his parents.

Bob is survived by his children, Anthony Kent (Debra) Palmer of Idaho Falls, ID; Bryon Scott Palmer of Farr West, UT; Debra Dee Reed of Syracuse, UT; Cameron Thomas (Lene) Palmer of Eagle Mountain, UT; 11 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and Charlton's Widow, Jill Baker (Ben) Cluff and their four children of Alton, UT.

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the LDS Turnberry Ward, 3426 West Augusta Drive, Syracuse, UT with Daryn Ashby, 1st Counselor in the Bishopric, officiating. The family will visit with friends Friday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and for one hour prior to services at the church.

Interment will be in the Syracuse City Cemetery under the direction of Leavitt's Mortuary, Ogden, UT.