Henry A. Palmer – January 6, 1936 – May 23, 2009

Henry A. Palmer, loving and devoted husband of 50 years to his best friend and high school sweetheart, Janice Stuart Palmer, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2009 at Hartford Hospital.

He was the proud father of Robert Stuart Palmer and his wife Renee of Storrs, and of Scott Andrew Palmer of East Orleans, Massachusetts, and he was Pop-Pop to Caitlin Oriana Palmer and Madison Olivia Palmer of Storrs. He is also survived by many cousins.

Born in Albany, New York on Jan. 6, 1936, he was the son of the late Delores and Henry Palmer and brother of the late Maria Hatker of Albany.

He earned his graduate degree in Pharmacy at the Albany College of Pharmacy. He moved to Storrs to pursue graduate studies at the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, receiving his M. S. and Ph.D.

His 42-year teaching career at UConn began as a teaching assistant, and ended with his retirement on Jan. 1, 2000 as a Clinical Professor and Associate Dean.

His teaching focused on the areas of prescription compounding, non-prescription medication and consumer education.

His love of teaching the science of pharmacy as it applied to practice was rewarded in many ways, not the least of which were the many awards for teaching excellence and concern for students bestowed by his students.

He was also dedicated to providing consumers – from school children to senior citizens – with information on medications to assure their proper and safe use.

A scholarship named for him was initiated in 2000 by the Connecticut Pharmacists Association, and an annual Continuing Education program was named for him in 2002 by the School of Pharmacy.

He was an active member of many state and national pharmacy and health-related organizations and was a past-President of the Connecticut Pharmacists Association.

Several of these organizations honored him with awards in recognition of his contributions to the practice of pharmacy.

He was a consultant to pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and health-related institution, and he pioneered the development of several methods of medication use for consumers.

After his retirement as Clinical Professor Emeritus, he continued his affiliation on a part-time basis with the School of Pharmacy, serving as its Director of Continuing Education.

In April 2009, the Board of Trustees established a Professorship in Community Pharmacy Practice in his name.

And he was an active member of the Storrs Congregational Church, serving as Deacon and as a member of many committees over the years.

He enjoyed reading, cooking, baking, folk arts and crafts and was a beginning woodworker.

He loved the seashore and had many pleasant memories of the times he spent walking and relaxing with his family on the beaches of Cape Cod and at their cottage in East Orleans.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life was held on Wednesday, May 27, 2009 at the Storrs Congregational Church.

There are no calling hours, with private interment.

Those wishing to honor Henry in a special way may contribute to “The Henry A. Palmer Endowment Fund,” c/o Lisa D. Brown, Assistant Director of Development for the School of Pharmacy. She may be contacted at (860) 486-9342 or via email at lbrown@foundation.uconn.edu. Or contributions may be made to the Storrs Congregational Church, designated for the “Welcoming All Accessibility Campaign.” Arrangements were handled by the Potter Funeral Home.

Posted May 28, 2009