Patricia Ann Pearce Palmer, 71, a retired federal government manager, and retired Army Reserve Lieutenant Colonel, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on August 31, 2024 in her home in Bradenton, FL.
Pat Palmer was born on August 11, 1953 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts to Richard Lee Pearce, and Mary Patricia Nascimento. An outstanding student, Pat graduated from Pittsfield High School in 1971 and continued her education at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in International Politics in 1975. In 1981, she graduated from Columbia University with a Masters in Business Administration. In 1988, she earned a Master of Science degree in Strategic Intelligence as a distinguished graduate.
The military played a large role in Pat's early career. In 1976, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant from the WAC Officer Course/OCS, Ft. McClelland, Alabama and then completed her military intelligence basic course at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. From 1976 to 1979, her active-duty assignments included leadership positions as a signals intelligence officer at the US Army Field Station Augsburg, Germany. While in the US Army Reserve from 1979 to 1990, she served as a military intelligence officer, counterintelligence team leader, and psychological operations officer.
Upon graduation from business school, Pat went to work for the US government. She was employed at the National Security Agency from 1983 to 2009 and during that time period, she served in a variety of analytic and management positions. Additionally, as part of the Congressional Fellowship Program, she was assigned as a legislative assistant to Senator Richard Lugar from 1994-1995. While serving as a branch chief and division manager, Patricia also was a student at the National War College from 2001-2002. From 2002 to 2003, she worked at the Pentagon on the J-5 Joint Staff. This was followed by a division chief assignment from 2003 to 2006 at Camp Smith, Hawaii. After retiring from the NSA in 2009, she then served as an independent consultant to the NSA on intelligence and security matters.
Patricia was an avid and skilled photographer who loved to travel. This hobby took her to many different and interesting locations throughout the United States and the world. She had easily visited 100 different countries in her time. There were some locations she even visited multiple times while chasing that perfect picture. In addition to photography and travel, Pat enjoyed cooking and hiking in her leisure time. She was an accomplished and passionate cook and completed over 50 Volksmarches throughout the world.
A devoted and loving mother, Patricia is survived by her husband Robert Palmer, sons Ryan Palmer and Kevin Palmer, and brother Richard Pearce, Jr.
A celebration of Pat's life is scheduled for 11am on Monday, September 16 at the Sarasota National Cemetery, FL. Prior to the celebration, a private viewing will be held at the Celebration of Life Center at Lakewood Ranch, 4310 Solutions Lane Bradenton, FL 34211. Flower arrangements can be sent to the attention of Robert Toale & Sons at the Celebration of Life Center.
