Palmer Alan Beebe, age 81, of Sheboygan, WI passed away unexpectedly at St. Nicholas Hospital on Sunday, May 25, 2014. Palmer was born on May 10, 1933, in Battle Creek, Michigan to Palmer and Louise Beebe. He attended Battle Creek High School where he played football and was in the school orchestra. For six summers, he attended Interlochen Music Camp in Michigan, studying and playing clarinet and saxophone. Following high school graduation, Palmer went to Harvard University and majored in theology and also studied at Harvard Divinity School. He graduated in the class on 1956. Palmer had participated in ROTC at Harvard and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army on June 14, 1956. He served his country honorably in the military for many years. Palmer returned to Michigan, where he and his mother owned and operated two Beebe Shoe Stores in Battle Creek and Hastings, Michigan. He then worked for the Red Wing Shoe Company of 18 years as a salesman and subsequently started their international division. Palmer worked for several shoe companies throughout his career: Georgia Boot in Franklin, TN; Herman Shoe in Cambridge, MA; Justin Boot in Fort Worth, TX; and Sheboygan Footwear. In 1988 he began his own export company, Team America, where he represented 15 medium sized U.S. shoe companies who had no previous export function. Through the years, Palmer was an active member of Grace Episcopal Church, Sheboygan, and served on the Vestry, Finance Committee and the Grace Walsingham Foundation. He was also a member of the American Footwear Association. Palmer enjoyed his hobbies of gardening, reading, traveling, and woodworking. He spent many fulfilling years working a few hours each day to refinish and polychrome the high altar, side chapels and pews of Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan. Palmer met his beloved wife, Jane (Polly), in 1966 and they married in 1967. In addition to Polly, Palmer is survived by his six children: Palmer (Julie) Beebe of Wickford, RI and children Taylor (fiancé Caitlin), Clover and Dune; Matthew (Anne) Beebe of Fairfax Station, VA and children Daniel and Sarah; Ann Beebe of Tyler, TX; Adam Beebe of Atlanta, GA; Luke Beebe of Washington, DC; and Jane Beebe of New Orleans, LA. He is also survived by his sister Jean (Dick) Hayman of Defiance, OH and their children Deb, Randy (Susan) and Pam; his two sisters-in-law, Barbara (Bob) DeRuiter of Red Wing, MN and Judy Turocy of Naples, FL, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Palmer and Louise Beebe, in-laws Lowell and Jennie Polhemus, and nephew Todd Hayman. This kind, generous and loving man lived his life to the fullest and loved his Lord, his country and his family with all his heart. He will be missed very much. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Dr. Karl C. Schaffenburg on Wednesday, June 11, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, 1011 N. 7th Street, Sheboygan, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Grace Episcopal Church or to a charity of the donor's choice. The Olson Funeral Home & Cremation Service has been entrusted with Palmer's arrangements. Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.olsonfuneralhome.info.
