Celebration of life planned in The Dalles for Leif Palmer, 66
The Dalles, Ore., May 5, 2026 — A celebration of life for Leif Andrew Palmer, a native son of The Dalles who went on to a decades-long legal career with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, will be held in his hometown at the Bargeway Pub Event Center on June 23 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Leif Andrew Palmer
Palmer, 66, died March 20, 2026, at his home in the Candler Park neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia, from complications related to myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disease that causes muscle weakness.
Born in 1960 in The Dalles, Palmer was the youngest of five children and spent much of his youth in the Columbia River Gorge. During his misspent youth, Leif enjoyed riding around the wheat fields and cherry orchards with his buddies listening to the Grateful Dead, Bob Dylan and Steely Dan while avoiding the eye of the local constabulary.
He graduated from The Dalles High School before attending the University of Oregon, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and later a law degree, becoming what fellow alumni often call a “Double Duck.” During his younger years, Palmer also briefly played college football, worked as a rare book librarian and spent summers fighting forest fires.
In 1988, Palmer moved to Atlanta, where he built a career spanning more than 30 years with the Environmental Protection Agency. He rose from staff attorney to head of the Office of Regional Council for the southeastern United States, earning a reputation for both his intellect and steady leadership.
Family members said Palmer faced his illness with quiet resilience.
“He never complained. He didn’t whine… he just played the hand that he was dealt,” his brother, Scott Palmer, wrote in a public tribute.
Palmer was known among family and friends for his sharp mind, humility and patience. Despite being “one of the smartest people” his brother had ever known, he was remembered for treating others with kindness and respect.
He also remained closely tied to Oregon throughout his life, maintaining a deep loyalty to the University of Oregon and its athletic programs. Family members said he would often stay up late into the night to watch Ducks football games from across the country and made frequent trips back to Eugene to see the Grateful Dead play at Autzen Stadium.
Palmer is survived by his wife, Donna Palmer; his son, Joey Lick (Megan) of The Dalles; grandchildren Jovanni and Wren; his sister, Wendy Patterson (Bob) of Atlanta; and his brother, Scott Palmer (Barbara) of Pendleton, along with several nieces, nephews and extended family members.
Family members described Palmer’s marriage as a defining part of his life, noting Donna Palmer’s steadfast care and support throughout his illness.
