Andrew William Palmer
Andrew Palmer was born on July 10, 1995 in San Antonio, Texas. Andrew died unexpectedly, but peacefully, and went to be with our Lord on August 26, 2022.
Andrew was baptized and confirmed at his home church, the First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio. Andrew attended grade school at San Antonio Academy, transferred to Alamo Heights Middle School and graduated from Alamo Heights High School in 2014. Andrew attended The University of Alabama with a Presidential Scholarship, graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
While at Alabama he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity and served as an officer. In his senior year he was elected to the Jason’s Society, a Greek men’s honors organization. Immediately following his graduation from Alabama, Andrew entered The George Washington University School of Law in Washington, D.C. During his time at GW Law he served on the Law Review and worked full time as an intellectual property student associate with Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner, LLP. Andrew passed the patent bar exam and sat for the Washington, D.C. Bar exam in July, 2022. There is little question that Andrew was embarking on a promising career as an intellectual property attorney.
While Andrew was driven academically and professionally, he also took care to prioritize his personal life as a son, a brother, a grandson, a cousin and to so many, just a good friend and role model. He channeled his energy into so many hobbies. He was a gifted musician, accomplished with the clarinet, keyboard and bass guitar. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying all forms of hunting and fishing with his family. Andrew’s drive for accomplishment also earned him the rank of Eagle Scout. Later in his young life he developed a passion for golf which he often played with his friends, father and brother. Andrew also enjoyed gaming with his brother and friends. Most cherished by us is that Andrew dearly loved his family. Andrew was always “all in” on every family gathering and celebration.
In addition to his family, Andrew was loved by the many friends he made over the years. While his life was cut short, the friendships he had developed filled a lifetime. Some started in pre-K, and as they all made new friends over the years in San Antonio the new friends were folded into the “pack.” When they were little, they had many sleepovers, and once they could drive they free ranged among each other’s homes. No “pack” mom was ever surprised to find multiple boys asleep on sofas in the morning.
Andrew expanded his friendships through his passionate participation in the Sigma Nu Fraternity at The University of Alabama. He was also “all in” on every event, especially the football games in the Fall. He loved his fraternity brothers. Further, his friendship was highly valued by those that knew him, as he was charismatic, and he loved friends and family fiercely. Nearly everyone wanted a slice of his time.
When Andrew moved to Washington D.C., he expanded his friendships in law school and at work as vigorously as he did at Alabama. And while in D.C., he met the love of his life, Emilee Benos. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his parents, Scott and Kitty Palmer of San Antonio, his brother, Christian Palmer of Nashville, Tennessee, his grandmother, Edith Palmer of Zwolle, Louisiana, his grandfather, Ross Simmang of Benton, Illinois, his two aunts, Donna Keeland of San Antonio and Melissa Harbuck of Shreveport, Louisiana, his uncle, Kyle Keeland of San Antonio, his great uncle, Joe Traigle of Charlotte, North Carolina, and his four cousins, Hannah Clark of San Antonio, Emily Keeland of Los Angeles, California, Palmer Townsend of Atlanta, Georgia, and Kit Harbuck of Shreveport.
While attending law school in Washington, D.C. and until his death, Andrew’s D.C. family was Sara van Geertruyden, Andrew’s second cousin, her husband Yann van Geertruyden, and their two sons, August and J.T. Andrew’s immediate family is profoundly grateful for the love and support that Sara, Yann, August and J.T. provided him. And last, but definitely not least, Andrew’s D.C. family included his loving girlfriend, Emilee Benos.
Please join the Palmers as they celebrate the life of Andrew at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 2, 2022 at the First Presbyterian Church, 404 N. Alamo Street, San Antonio. For those individuals which may be unable to attend the celebration of life services in person, may view the services via livestream at https://vimeo. com/744778755/.
In lieu of flowers, Andrew’s family asks that you donate to the Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL)*. Funds donated in honor of Andrew will support the education of law students regarding their personal and professional well-being as part of law school curricula. To donate, please click here. And go hug a lawyer!
*IWIL is a 501(c)(3) organization that evolved from the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. IWIL is dedicated to the betterment of the legal profession by focusing on a holistic approach to well-being. Through advocacy, research, education, technical and resource support, and stakeholders’ partnerships, it is driven to lead a culture shift in law to establish health and well-being as core centerpieces of professional success.
You are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.missionparks.com.
