Frank Raymond Palm

Frank Raymond Palm, 87, passed away on April 22, 2025. He was admired by all who knew him and beloved by his large family.

Frank came from humble beginnings. The second of five children of Rev. Cecil and Eleanor Palm, he was born in Palermo, NJ, on August 31, 1937. Though his father moved the family many places over his career, it was his move to Sabinsville, PA, that solidified the most important part of his life. Smart enough to skip a grade in his one room schoolhouse; he joined Beverly Trowbridge in second grade. Perhaps he knew then that she was someone special.  Frank and Bev married on October 4, 1956.

As far back as high school, Frank set his sights on a career in technology. Not long after completing two years at Mansfield Teachers College in PA, Frank secured a job with IBM. He had so many interesting assignments during his more than 40 years with the company. Most notable in his early career was the assignment in Alabama with the NASA space program. Frank and Bev helped live up to IBM’s nickname of “I’ve Been Moved” when they relocated many times between various locations in NY and Alabama, eventually settling for 20 years in Somers, NY, where Frank could regularly change jobs within nearby IBM locations without moving the family.

Despite never completing an undergraduate degree, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Columbia University through an executive education program. Later, he led IBM’s first initiative to build and run an information technology data center for a major US corporation, which was a tremendous success. He then led the growth of the Global Services Division through contracts with many other companies.
Having moved from Somers to Rochester, then Raleigh, Frank retired from IBM in 1996. He went on to consult for a few years. That afforded him and Beverly the opportunity to travel. They often fondly remembered an extended trip to Australia and New Zealand.

When Frank wasn’t working he enjoyed woodworking, gardening, baking bread, cooking, listening to music, reading and being on the water. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Frank is survived by his wife, Beverly, of 68 years; three of his siblings, Marie Ransom, Donald Palm, and Betty Barlow; his five children and their spouses, Susan and Jim Sidway, Stephen and Laura Palm, Gary Palm and Gemma Ferragine, Ellen and Doug Ramey, and Frances Palm and Ernesto Diaz; his ten grandchildren and their spouses, Brittany and Kevin Overshiner, Emily and Tim Murray, Jenna Palm and Matt Flynn, Gregory and Meredith Palm, Kevin Palm and Rachel Faust, Amanda and Josh Williams, Mary and Andrew Williford, Benjamin Ramey and Lisa Rosenfeld, Sarah Ramey, and Silvia Diaz; and ten great grandchildren.

He is predeceased by his beloved sister, Virginia Mynatt.

Frank and Beverly’s children and grandchildren all benefited from their encouragement to pursue higher education and their generosity in helping to finance these dreams as well as many others. There was nothing Frank loved more than to hear from his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and to spend time with them when they visited their various homes over the years including special locations in Edenton, NC, and at their vacation home, later to become their permanent home, in Lake Ariel, PA. Work colleagues, long-time friends, and family each have their own stories of how Frank, Dad, or Grandad encouraged and inspired them.

In the weeks before his passing while contemplating that his time may have been nearing the end, he expressed gratitude for the wonderful life he was afforded, a beautiful and loving wife, a terrific family, and a successful career. He had no regrets.

Frank’s passing leaves a huge hole in our lives but our hearts filled with love!

If desired, memorial donations can be made in Frank’s name to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the James H. Wilson Funeral Home, Lake Arie