Dr. David D. Palmer

1978 — The profession mourned the loss of David D. Palmer, DC, grandson of the founder of chiropractic, who passed away at age 71.

“Dave,” as he was affectionately known, had succeeded his father, B.J. Palmer, as president of the Palmer School of Chiropractic. He renamed the institution Palmer College of Chiropractic and reorganized it as a nonprofit corporation, which he headed as president and chairman of the board of trustees.

Palmer was well known and admired not only throughout the profession, but also in business circles, for he managed the extensive broadcasting companies that his father had established in the 1920s and 1930s.

Palmer collaborated with straight chiropractic college leaders (such as Drs. Carl Cleveland, Ernest Napolitano, William D. Harper and William Coggins) in organizing the Association of Chiropractic Colleges, and sought (unsuccessfully) recognition from the U.S. Office of Education. As head of the world’s largest chiropractic institution, his opinions were sought on a wide array of professional topics.

Palmer suffered a stroke in the mid-1970s, and underwent a difficult rehabilitation. During his convalescence his duties were partially filled by his cousin, W. Heath Quigley, DC. Dave Palmer was succeeded as chairman of the Palmer board of trustees by Joseph Mazzarelli, DC, of New Jersey.