Don. S Palmer

Bainbridge Disposal owner Don. S Palmer, 70, of Bainbridge Island, died in his sleep April 18.

He was born July 13, 1935, in Billings, Mont., and raised in Suquamish.

He never lost his desire for the Big Sky Country, loved traveling throughout Montana and was looking forward to spending his retirement under the wide, blue skies of his favorite state.

He was planning on retiring from the disposal business on June 1.

His life passion was Bainbridge Disposal, the business he started 40 years ago. He was a pioneer in the concept of recycling, and led the charge for Bainbridge Disposal as one of the first companies in Kitsap County to incorporate curbside recycling.

His company provided gratis manpower and equipment for the Grand Old Fourth, Annual Rotary Auction, Earth Day and many other beneficiaries.

He loved his friends, a good laugh, all Republicans and, most of all, a serious game of pool.

He served in the 82nd Airborne, stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. He was jump qualified and proud of his time spent in the military.

He also served as president of the Bainbridge Island Rotary Club and was a recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He was a Life Member of the Bainbridge Sportsman’s Club.

He is survived by his daughters, Heidi (Doug) Owens and Heather (Dean) Church, and his three grandsons, Tucker Bowman and Derek and Brett Church.

A memorial service will be at 1 p.m. April 30 at the Poulsbo Sons of Norway.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Bainbridge Island Sportsman’s Club Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 10421, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.