Bernard Palmer, 63, of Silverton, Oregon, died at home of cancer on Dec. 12, 2022.  He was born in Cardiff, Wales on Dec. 20, 1958.

Growing up, he lived in many places, primarily in different parts of Africa and Montreal, Quebec as his father was in the British Foreign Services.  He attended school at Michael Hall Steiner Waldorf in Forest Row, England.  He had a love for learning and never stopped.

He emigrated to the United States in 1977.  He joined the U.S Army in 1978, serving in Germany, and at Fort Lewis in Washington State.  When Bernie was discharged from the army, he moved to Salem, Oregon.  There he met Sherry Rush.  They were married in Gervais, Oregon in 1985.  They lived in Madras, Oregon for two years before eventually settling down in Silverton, Oregon, where they raised three children.

While living in Madras, Bernie joined the Jefferson County Fire and Ambulance Departments as a volunteer.  Here he found his lifelong love of service as a firefighter, a paramedic, and a nurse.  He was a volunteer firefighter with Jefferson County Fire for two years, Marion County Fire District for five years and finally at Silverton Fire District for 25 years.  He was very active as a trainer in both fire and EMS, and he was involved in the Silverton Fire Explorer Program.

Bernie was a Christian, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, son, brother, uncle, firefighter, paramedic, nurse, scout leader, soldier, friend and so much more! He never met a stranger and loved spending time with friends and family.

Bernie is survived by his wife, Sherry; parents Peter and Sallie Palmer of Largo, Florida and Marion and David Livingstone of Cardiff, Wales; sibling Karen Palmer of Victoria, British Columbia, Janine Palmer of London, England and Mark and Jody Palmer of Bewdley, England; children Em Palmer and Daphne Saul of Lake Oswego, Oregon, Trystan and Shelby Palmer and grandson Carson of Lakewood, Washington, and Ian Palmer of Milwaulkie, Oregon.  He is also survived by many loving cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Funeral Services will be held Dec. 31, 2022, at St. Paul Catholic Church in Silverton, Oregon.  Rosary will be at 10:30 and Mass at 11:00 am.

Donations in his honor can be made to the Silverton Firefighter Association.