Stan Palmer; Retired Teacher

Stan Palmer, who taught elementary school in the San Fernando Valley for 34 years, has died at a Studio City convalescent hospital. He was 63.

Palmer, a resident of Van Nuys, died Monday of cancer, said his ex-wife and longtime friend, Joan Palmer of Glendale.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Palmer served in the Army during World War II and came to California in the late 1940s.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in cinema arts from USC and a master’s degree in school administration from Cal State Northridge.

Palmer wrote and directed for the Players Ring, a children’s theater in Hollywood, in the early 1950s before he began teaching in 1957. Palmer taught at Cantara Street School in Reseda, Tarzana School in Tarzana and Ranchito Avenue School in Van Nuys. He retired from Ranchito in February.

He had also taught classes in English as a second language at Reseda Community Adult School until recently and taught at the religion school at Temple Beth Hillel in North Hollywood in the 1960s. Palmer was on the staff and served as a volunteer for the Foundation for the Junior Blind in Los Angeles.

He is also survived by his son, Jonathan Palmer of Redwood City, Calif.; daughters Jessica Palmer of Santa Cruz, Naomi Palmer of San Francisco and Elissa Palmer of Santa Barbara; and brother Lon Palmer of Long Island, N.Y.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon today at Temple Beth Hillel, 12326 Riverside Drive, in North Hollywood. Glasband-Willen Mortuary in North Hollywood is handling the arrangements. Donations can be made in Palmer’s name to the American Cancer Society.