John Palmer, a UW–Madison professor emeritus and dean of the School of Education from 1975-1991, died peacefully on June 25, 2023, in Middleton, Wisconsin. He was 95.
Palmer was an esteemed professor in the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Policy Studies, and History at UW–Madison. He served as dean of the School of Education for 17 years and retired from the university in 1995.
“John was a highly regarded dean who will be remembered as a quiet giant for his principled leadership,” says School of Education Dean Diana Hess. “I knew John as a voracious reader and a true intellectual who was interested in the history of ideas and how best to connect them to the contemporary world. He continued to be deeply interested in the School of Education and all that was taking place here. He will be missed by many.”
Palmer was born on April 14, 1928, in Aurora, Illinois, the second son of Robert and Marian (Davis) Palmer. He grew up on a farm near Oswego, Illinois, and attended a one-room school where at times he and his brother were the only students. These early experiences were influential throughout his life. A high school teacher encouraged him to read Tolstoy’s “War and Peace,” and the issues raised there remained the focus of his intellectual interests in his later academic study and teaching.
Palmer attended Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and later awarded an honorary doctorate. In 1955 he married Carol Smith in Evanston, Illinois. After three years of high school teaching, he attended graduate school at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, completing a doctorate in education. He was on the faculty at Illinois from 1960 until he received an offer from UW–Madison in 1966.
As a scholar, Palmer’s research focused on social studies education, and he was often called on by influential groups to consult and speak on improving teaching and teacher education. As a leader, he was known for his integrity, his sound judgment, and his dedication to doing the right thing.
“John will be remembered for his deeply principled leadership of the School of Education,” said W. Charles Read, who served as the dean of the School of Education from 1995 to 2005. “He fostered the early growth of research, which has become one of the School’s great strengths. He laid the foundation for vital philanthropic funding for the School. He championed the professional development of women despite some resistance. He was a leading voice in national organizations, such as The Holmes Group, that led the way toward better preparation of teachers. His unassuming but effective style has been a model for those of us who followed.”
Palmer’s family has asked that memorials be made to a charity of one’s choice, or to the John R. Palmer Graduate Fellowship Fund through this link.
Alternatively, checks can be mailed to the secure bank lockbox address below. Please designate the John R. Palmer Graduate Fellowship Fund on the memo line.
UW Foundation
U.S. Bank Lockbox
Box 78807
Milwaukee, WI 53278-0807