1940
Born to Don Edward and Nina Louise (Kyes) Palmer in St. John’s, MI.
1963
Earns a Bachelor of Science from the University of Chicago; Marries Joan Claire Merlin on June 9.
1965
Achieves a Master of Arts from Harvard University.
1968
Obtains a Doctor of Philosophy from Harvard University, where he also worked as a radio astronomer.
1968
Teaches as an assistant, associate and full professor of astronomy and astrophysics at the University of Chicago until 2006.
1969
Receives the Bart J. Bok Prize for Contributions to Galactic Astronomy.
1970
Is an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow until 1972.
1972
Is a visiting associate professor of astronomy at the California Institute of Technology.
1973
Is a visiting radio astronomer at Cambridge University.
1975
Receives the Helen B. Warner Prize.
1977
Is a visiting research astronomer at the University of California, Berkeley and again in 1986.
1980
Is a visiting scientist at the National Radio Astronomer Observatory until 2006.
1981
Serves as chairman of the nominating committee for the American Astronomical Society.
1984
Serves as chairman of Section D Astronomy for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
2006
Attains professor emeritus status from the University of Chicago.