Le Roy Palmer of Clearlake Oaks, Calif., died on July 4, 2011, at age 99. Courtesy photo.

Le Roy Palmer of Clearlake Oaks, Calif., passed away on July 4, 2011.

He was born in Chicago, Ill., on March 15, 1912, and as a young man became interested in the then-new medium of radio, eventually getting an amateur radio operator’s license in 1933.

Also interested in music, he joined his high school chorus and in 1931 sang three performances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra as a member of that vocal ensemble.

After graduating from high school he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps and went on to work for two electrical manufacturing companies in Chicago as a production manager.

In 1958 he received an MBA degree from the University of Chicago and the following year he and his family moved to Belmont, Calif., where he was employed by a company that specialized in aerospace and defense work.

During the 1960s he was involved in the United States space program and worked with a team that designed and manufactured the antenna used to transmit television pictures from the first manned lunar landing.

After retiring in 1977, he devoted his time to managing his investments, working on home improvement projects, took piano lessons, traveled to several countries and bowled as well as played bridge regularly.

In 1984, after his wife Caroline died, he remarried and took up residence with his bride, Elsie, in Mountain View, Calif. She introduced him to square dancing and pinochle and eventually the couple moved to Windsor, Calif., and then to Clearlake Oaks. There he and Elsie quickly made friends with many others in the Keys and often took part in activities at the Clear Lake Keys Club.

Throughout his life he was an avid reader, enjoyed learning new skills, planning personal projects as well as designing and building things and took pleasure in music, particularly opera.

He had a deep appreciation and respect for learning and during his later years audited several college courses available on DVD.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie Carey Palmer; his two children, Frederic Palmer of Belmont, Calif., and Laurel Palmer Lettieri of Mount Vernon, New York; and his two grandchildren, Rebecca Pelfrey of Beachwood, Ohio, and Christian Palmer Pelfrey of Yonkers, New York.

A memorial will be held at the Clear Lake Keys Club, 12980 Lakeland St. in Clearlake Oaks on Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m.