Rev. Richard (Darryl) D. Palmer, O.S.A. (1942-2024)

Rev. Richard (Darryl) D. Palmer, O.S.A., entered eternal life on June 11, 2024.

Darryl Daniel Palmer was born on July 13, 1942, in Rockford, Illinois, to John D. and Lila M. (Vondra) Palmer. He was baptized on July 26, 1942, at St. Mary Church in Rockford. He received the Sacrament of Confirmation on March 9, 1952, at St. Peter Church in Rockford.

He received his elementary education at St. Peter School and St. Mary School, both in Rockford. He attended St. Thomas High School in Rockford for one year before entering the Augustinian minor seminary program at St. Augustine Seminary in Holland, Michigan. He earned his high school diploma from St. Augustine Seminary in 1960.

Darryl was received into the Augustinian Novitiate on September 3, 1960. He professed simple (temporary) vows in the Order of St. Augustine on September 4, 1961. He then began collegiate studies at Tolentine College in Olympia Fields, Illinois.

In 1963, he decided to discontinue his studies for the priesthood but to remain in the Augustinian Order. At that time, church law required that a friar repeat his Novitiate year when changing his status from cleric to non-cleric. Thus, he was again received into the Augustinian Novitiate on March 9, 1963. At this time, he adopted the religious name Richard. He completed his Novitiate year on March 10, 1964. He professed solemn (permanent) vows on October 7, 1964.

Brother Richard volunteered for the Augustinian Missions in Peru in 1964. After a brief time at the headquarters of the Prelature of Chulucanas, he was assigned to San Isidro Parish in Morropón, where he served as a catechist. From 1968 to 1973, he ministered at Santo Domingo Parish in Santo Domingo. Here he specialized in youth apostolate and teaching religion to teens.

He was ordained a permanent deacon in 1971. He was named Director of Formation in 1974 at Villa “La Buena Nueva” in Santo Domingo. This house of formation hosted a program of vocational discernment and pre-seminary formation. In 1981, he was appointed Regional Superior of the Prelature of Chulucanas.

In 1983, Brother Richard resumed his studies for the priesthood, enrolling in the Pontifical Beda College in Rome, and residing at St. Monica College. He was ordained a priest on June 27, 1987.

Father Palmer returned to Peru in 1987. He served as Associate Pastor of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish in Pacaipampa (1987-1989), San Isidro Parish in Morropón (1989-1992), and San Fernando Parish in Chalaco (1990-1992). He was also Prior/Superior at each of these locations. He was named Administrator of Santo Domingo Parish in Santo Domingo in 1992. At the same time, he was Director of Formation at Villa “La Buena Nueva” in Santo Domingo. He returned as Associate Pastor and Pastor/Superior at San Isidro Parish in Morropón (1995-1996), San Fernando Parish in Chalaco (1996-1998), and San Isidro Parish in Morropón (1998-1999).

In 1999, Father Palmer was given permission to go to Rockford, IL, his hometown, to care for his mother, who was in poor health. He returned to Peru in 2002, residing at the Augustinian Center House of Our Lady of Grace in Lima.

In 2003, he was named Vicar of the Augustinian Vicariate of Chulucanas. He served in this role until 2006, after which he continued to reside in the Center House in Lima, where he was Prior until 2010. In that year, he was assigned to Señor de los Milagros in Pacasmayo. In 2012, he was assigned to Nuestra Señora de la Asunción Parish in Pacaipampa. In 2015, he was transferred to San Isidro Parish in Morropón, where he was Prior until 2016.

Father Palmer returned to the United States in April 2018 and joined the community at Bl. Stephen Bellesini Friary in Crown Point, IN, where his healthcare needs could be better met.

He passed away peacefully on the evening of June 11, 2024, at St. Anthony Home in Crown Point.

Father Palmer was generous, had a big heart, and had a wonderful sense of humor. He is especially remembered for his love for the missions and the people of Peru.

He is buried in the Augustinian plot at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Alsip, IL.

Memorial gifts may be made to: The Midwest Augustinians, 10161 S Longwood Dr, Chicago, IL 60643-2032 or via our Online Giving Page.