Leif Andrew Palmer

There are very few people in this world who are universally loved but Leif Palmer was one of them. Leif died at his home in the Atlanta suburb of Candler Park in the early morning hours of Friday, March 20, 2026 due to complications of Myasthenia Gravis.

Leif was born in 1960, the youngest of five in The Dalles, Oregon, a small town on the banks of the Columbia River. 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.

Leif played college football (briefly), was a rare book librarian and also spent a few summers fighting forest fires. Leif was a “Double Duck” from the University of Oregon, having graduated with a BA in History and then completing law school at the U of O. He came to Atlanta in 1988 and eventually found his way to the Environmental Protection Agency where after over 30 years of government service, he worked his way up from staff attorney to the head of the Office of Regional Council for the southeastern United States.

He is survived by his wife Donna (nee Palmer—no known prior relation), son Joey Lick (Megan) of The Dalles, Oregon, grandchildren, Jovanni and Wren, sister Wendy Patterson (Bob) of Atlanta, Georgia and brother Scott Palmer (Barbara) of Pendleton, Oregon. There are several cherished nieces, nephews and a beloved tribe of surrogate grandchildren who are too numerous to name but, you all know who you are.

A memorial will be held on Saturday, May 2nd at 2 o’clock at the First Existentialist Congregation 470 Candler Park Drive. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate either time or money to the Democratic candidate of your choice.