Philip J. Palm
Philip J. Palm, 59, died in Seattle on January 12, 2016, from complications following a heart attack. His wife and three sons were at his side.
Phil was born on October 24, 1956 in Great Falls, Montana and graduated from Great Falls High School in 1975 and from the University of Utah in 1980 with a degree in finance.
He attended Cornell University in its graduate program for intensive Japanese language. Phil, fluent in Japanese, studied in Japan after receiving a scholarship from the Japan Foundation for its language studies.
Phil obtained his M.B.A. from the University of Washington in Finance and International Business. He began an odyssey of travel and jobs from Tokyo toNew York to San Francisco that culminated in his lecturing at the University of Washington Bothell School of Business.
Phil taught courses in finance, money & banking, investment and advanced valuation. A practical and intellectual financial expert, Phil worked for Chemical Bank, Deutsche Bank, and AIG where he analyzed financial market risks.
Returning to Montana often, he vacationed with his family at the Whitefish Lake cabin for years.
On April 26, 1997, Phil married Jeanie Ann Berry in Seattle and they have three boys, Philip (17), Evan (15), and Wyatt (11).
Intellectually curious, Phil constantly read and kept abreast of current events. He enjoyed spending time with his family, snow skiing, traveling, and he loved teaching. He looked forward to his annual dinners, hosted at his home, with current and former students.
Phil is survived by his wife, Jeanie; three sons Philip, Evan, and Wyatt; sister Cindy (Bob) James and brother Gary; niece and nephews Ryan (Aaryn) Schuster, Laurel Mills, and Collin (Anne) Schuster.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Stella Palm.
Phil was a thoughtful man and problem solver. His quiet nature didn’t hide his dry humor. And, like his father, he had an easy smile.
We will remember Phil’s life on January 30, 2016, at 1:00 at the Washington Cathedral, 12300 Woodinville-Redmond Rd. NE, Redmond, WA.
Memorials are suggested to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 11454, Alexandria, VA 22312.
38 Responses to “Philip J. Palm”
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Professor Palm, was one of the best finance professor of the University of Washington Bothell campus. He has provided not only guidance and knowledge to every student but also opportunities to see the big world. He has been to New York with the FMA group many years, FMA students are truly thankful for having a great mentor in life. We love you professor Palm. You remain in our hearts forever. I remember the days we usually to listen to his stories, jokes and lectures. The days are gone but the memory will be with us. Thank you professor palm, we will chin up through our learning journey in life, we know you always wanted us to be well.
Starting business school was scary and in the beginning I wasn’t sure if I had made the right choice.
It was when I took Micro Econ that I realized that not only did I make the right choice for my major, but I had a passion (and knack) for business. I wanted to learn more (inside and outside the classroom) and felt motivated to do well in school.
It was all thanks to you, Professor Palm.
You pushed your students to give their all and were always available for help outside of class. You had a dry sense of humor that was one of a kind–often cracking jokes under your breath (a special treat for the students who were sitting close enough to hear them).
I will never forget your smile or passion for teaching–and will always remember you when I see (and drink) Diet Coke.
Rest in peace, Professor Palm.
You will be greatly missed.
Professor Philip Palm was a phenomenal professor, mentor, and friend.
His words of wisdom motivated me throughout my time at University of Washington. When I requested a letter of recommendation, he called the employer directly.
Rest in paradise, Philip Palm.
Phil was a great colleague and friend. He was always concerned about other people and taking care of them, even when he himself was not feeling well. He was a good listener, providing valuable perspective and advice on complicated situations. He was also a superb teacher and greatly cared about the educational and professional growth of his students. There are few faculty that can match Phil’s professional expertise and personal connection with students, regardless of where you look across the academic landscape.
Professor Palm was always compassionate, patient, and one of the most influential professors during my time at UW Bothell. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Thank you for sharing him with all of us.
I was a student under Professor Palm while at Cascadia Community College, as well as a member of the Business Club there. He encouraged me to transfer to the UW to finish my Bachelor’s degree, which I did. I’m deeply saddened by his loss, but grateful for his influence on me, and I’m sure all of his students. I’ll see you again someday, Phil.
Dr. Palm was one of my favorite faculty to work with at UW Bothell. He was always thoughtful, kind, and open to others’ ideas. To UW Bothell, Dr. Palm’s passing means the loss of an exceptional instructor who always put student learning and student experiences first. He is greatly missed.
Phil, was a colleague at UW Bothell. I enjoyed working with him. He was a very pleasant, easy going and kind person. His presence will be missed!
Professor Phil Palm was more than just a professor teaching finance classes at UW Bothell.
He was a mentor to all of his students. He gave his students confidence, opportunities, and guidance to explore the financial industry.
Not only was he a mentor to his students, he was also a wonderful friend. Every year, he would host a gathering at his house with new and former students to get together and connect with one another.
Phil was instrumental to my education at the University of Washington Bothell. He gave me confidence in pursuing a career in finance. He presented opportunities for me to explore the field through school’s annual participation in the CFA Research Challenge. And most importantly, he offered guidance every time I feel lost.
I will forever cherish my time with Professor Phil Palm and the knowledge he provided me.
Rest in peace Phil.
I first met Phil Palm when he taught at Cascadia College and we collaborated on library resources for his classes. He would sometimes stop by my office to chat and I remember those times fondly. He was a smart, gentle man with wry humor and a twinkle in his eye. Once he began teaching at UWB, he was involved in so many School of Business activities. His enthusiasm for whatever he did was so infectious. When students talked with me about him, they only had kind things to say and with exuberance they recalled the real world financial experiences they derived from the New York trips he arranged each spring for them to attend the Global Asset Management Education Forum. Phil Palm was a caring and giving person who left an incredible legacy for our students, faculty and staff. To me, Phil Palm is a distinctive example of what impact one person can have in the world by just doing what he can to make the world better.
I’m proud that Phil was my friend and colleague at UW Bothell. He was a great teacher who went many extra miles for our students. He also made important contributions to improving the quality of our academic programs. Talking with him was always a pleasure. We all miss him very much.
Professor Phil Palm was one of the most influential people in my life. As a professor he taught me many things and was the reason why I pursued the finance concentration.
As a mentor he was always available to answer any kind of question. He would frequently spend time outside of class to help develop the skills of students and spread his knowledge.
He had a unique sense of humor that always brought smiles in class. Many lives have been positively impacted by Professor Palm. His memory, guidance, and experiences will live on in each one of their lives.
Rest in peace Phil.
Can’t believe Professor Palm is gone. He was such a nice person. I asked him for the recommendation letter to graduate school. Still remember in his office hours discussing my investment class’s project. I am so sad. Rest in peace Phil. We will miss you.
Truly saddened by the loss of professor palm. His commitment to advancing knowledge and his commitment to us students was always tangible and always ever looking out for our best interests. I’m proud to have been under his tutelage, and learned everything relevant about business from him. In life you can count the people who’ve made a fundamental shift in thinking and life direction, so I count here.
Phil and I have known each other for more than 35 years. We were students together on a University of Colorado Semester at Sea trip that took us around the world.
After the trip, Phil and I lost contact for 30 years until serendipity played its hand and we ended up sharing an office at UWB and reconnecting!
Since then, our friendship grew and we enjoyed many outings to local pubs and restaurants. Beyond our friendship, Phil was also a trusted and valuable colleague whose support I will never forget. In 2013 Phil accompanied me and my group of 16 UWB seniors to Southeast Asia on a study-abroad program where he especially enjoyed seeing the temples of Cambodia.
Among Phil’s many positive traits was his ability to maintain a pleasant demeanor during even the most trying of circumstances. I never once heard him raise his voice or become flustered.
In the weeks leading up to his passing, Phil was obviously struggling with some health issues, yet except for a minute or two (and only when I asked) when he gave me a health update, we instead talked about everything from politics in Russia (an obsession of Phil), the gyrations of the securities market, the upcoming Seahawks game, or to the challenges and pleasures of parenting teenagers.
I thinking about Phil as I write this, a number of adjectives come to mind: Kind, honest, ethical, intelligent, articulate, devoted (to students, friends and family), curious, empathetic, introspective, polite, considerate, trustworthy and loyal.
Phil was a old and trusted friend, a supportive colleague, a devoted parent and a passionate teacher. How many of us will have earned that sort of description by the time we pass? Not many. Phil was one of a kind. He is surely missed by all.
I have adapted a poem called We Will Remember You Always by Joanna Fuchs
Rarely does someone
get to influence a person’s life
in a positive way
for a lifetime,
as a teacher like Phil did,
fostering optimism and confidence,
providing knowledge that leads to success,
and being a good role model,
as Phil has,
as Phil was,
as Phil will…
forever.
We will remember you always.
Thank you, Phil
RIP my friend
I have the pleasure of working with our students with disabilities at UWB and a bonus is that I get to collaborate with some of the best faculty. Without fail, Phil always went the extra mile to make sure that our students received their accommodations, always with a smile and that gentle, soft-spoken demeanor. Clearly, his students were always his priority and he was a great partner in creating an environment that would foster their success. Phil was, above all, a very kind human being, a quality that is highly valued and necessary in our world. He will be remembered very fondly as a colleague, professor, and friend, and is deeply missed.
Professor Palm was one of the most influential professors in my life. Not only was he an amazing and very knowledgeable finance professor, he was also a great mentor to his students. Any time someone had questions or needed help regarding their career path, he was always there to provide guidance. He would even meet with students outside of school to help them. He always made time to mentor anyone who asked. I will never forget him. He will be very missed by all of us. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
I knew Professor Palm when I was a student at Bellevue Community College in 2003 and 2004. I have to say my academic and professional career changed because of him and his class. His class focused my academic career on economics and then onto accounting, and finally finance.
Before taking his class I was not sure what I wanted to major in. I thought about everything, from physics to being a college drop out. It was because of taking his class that I found my interests and I credit him and his teaching style. He was able to break down complicated issues and simplify them beautifully. More importantly, he made his lectures fun and engaging.
I kept in contact with after my time at BCC and am glad I did. I will truly miss Professor Palm. I measure his class and lectures to everyone that came before and after. Words cannot fully express the impact that he has made nor describe how much he will be missed.
Thank you, Professor Palm.
I only had the pleasure of having one class with Professor Palm, but in that short period he had an astounding impact on me. He calm demeanor, wise anecdotes, and leadership meant the world to me. I was intimidated by investments, but he did not let it get to me. He NEVER put himself before others. He was a phone call away no matter what if we were stuck. I have never had a professor that offered themselves up to their student’s success as he did. He will be missed greatly. Cheers Professor Palm
Phil was a high school classmate in Great Falls, Montana. So sorry to hear of his passing. My condolences to his wife and 3 boys. All memories I have of Phil were good ones, even back then. Will miss him at future class reunions. He was one of the good guys.
Professor Palm’s opinion was that which you, as a student, valued most. Because of his vast knowledge and immediate amicability you always strived to achieve your best work in and around his presence. He had an ability matched by no other to make a generally boring topic, interesting and relevant and because of who he was as a person students are better people today. I know I am. I owe my career to Professor Palm and I hope when he looks down and sees what I am doing it makes him a tiny bit happier. He will be missed and the world of scholastic finance will forever have a hole that cannot be filled. RIP mentor.
Professor Palm was an amazing man and wise mentor. He helped guide me in my studies and provided valuable insight into my search of a career path. I always looked forward to running into him on campus and I will always hold dear the memories we shared during the Finance Club New York trip. He was one of the nicest professors I have ever encountered. I send my deepest condolences to his family. He will be forever missed. Godspeed
Phil and Jeanie and the boys were our very good neighbors in Woodinville for a few years. Our families were close as our son Myles was about the same age as PJ. Phil and I in particular became very good friends and business partners for a short while. He was a true financial talent and a very good trusted friend. It was very nice to see the tributes from his students as I know the passion he had for teaching. The last time I saw Phil was when he came to Hong Kong to visit and we went to Beijing together and toured the Great Wall and other sites. It was a wonderful trip and I am glad we had the chance to do it. I will miss you Phil.
Words will not be able to express how much of an impact Professor Palm had on my life. As an adviser to the FMA, he helped me not only solidify what I wanted to do, but made me feel welcome every time. He played such a big role and helped so many people bring out the best in themselves. One rarely gets the pleasure of getting to know someone like that. He truly was a great adviser, professor, and mentor and I cant thank him enough for his influence and support. Rest in Peace, Professor Palm.
Phil had a gentle spirit a sharp mind and a kind soul. He was my first supervisor at the UW Bothell School of Business; thou, he treated me more like a colleague than a report. Phil was a terrific mentor and I will greatly miss our talks about the school, world events…and mostly our students. Our school, as well as many of us, are better because of Phil.
Prof Palm was one of the only professors I really “connected” with in College. He was truly one of the best intellectual minds, and helped so many young adults understand and enjoy the world of finance and banking. I owe my knowledge and passion for the world of corporate and personal finance to him.
Best wishes to his family. He was a hell of a guy!
Phil was such a decent and truly kind soul, with a warmth of spirit that made him a real joy to be around. A real loss for the UWB community.
In the brief time I was fortunate to share with Phil, he made a tremendous impact on me. As a professor, he captivated my interest through his personal stories and ability to relate academic material to the real world. As faculty advisor to the FMA, he formed a lasting organization that owes its very existence to his efforts. Phil was a pillar of the business school at UW Bothell, and made tremendous strides in advancing the program. I regret that I won’t have Phil as a mentor, but I will do my best to honor his memory by embodying many of the lessons I learned from him. He has inspired me to become involved with organizations and help others, without any motive of personal gain. His impact on my professional and personal development cannot be overstated.
Thank you for everything you’ve done for me Phil. All of us at UWB will deeply miss you. We will make you proud.
Though I have known Phil only for a very brief period as a colleague, his calm demeanor and a very positive attitude made an indelible mark. The world needs more people like him. Rest in peace Phil, I will always remember you.
I went to high school with Jim. We did not have much contact after the late 70’s which is why I still refer to him as Jim. Like his father he was a kind, intelligent gentleman with a great sense of humor. As a student he was also a teacher and I learned much from him from campaigning for student body president to our adventures in DECA to sculling on Whitefish Lake. I was happy to have him stand with me when I married my Sandie. My condolences to his family. I will always remember Jim.
Professor Phil was on the greatest professors I have met, a genuine person with a long history of experience from around the world. He was truly respectful and with his experience and amazing way of delievering the information I reached to where I am today. The news came as a shock when I saw it online. I pray that he is in a better place looking above those he love. All my prayers for his family, and God bless you Mr. Phil.
Phil was an inspirational professor and mentor to me for 3 years of my education at Cascadia and UWB. Learning new topics never came easy for me during school especially complex business problems mixed with unique mathematics. Phil personally mentored me for countless hours during my 3rd and 4th year of business school after I had survived a near death brain injury from a motorcycle accident. Please don’t let your boys ride motorcycles, stick to the ski slopes and be safe there too. I know Phil’s spirit will always be with me when go to the mountains.
Phil always had a positive and optimistic attitude toward teaching and learning. In total, I attended 7 different class series taught by him and learned important life lessons and foundations of my business education and personal values. Class didn’t always stop with the end of the teaching period. Phil had a keen interest in developing his students’ business savvy through social hours after class as well as business clubs. This devotion to students created a positive and inspiring personal connection like no other professor in my educational experience.
I had the privilege to attend his annual business emersion trip to New York twice. These trips guided me to find my career path and inspired me to learn the possibilities of global business.
The most important life lessons emphasised by my time with Phil are:
-Integrity is number one.
-Always find the best attributes of a person rather than a flaw.
-Patience goes a long way.
-Every experience good or bad will one day make for a good story.
-Everything is going to be just fine.
-Always take time to relax, have fun, and live life.
This weekend has been extremely emotional for me remembering the wonderful times with Phil as one of his students and friend. I’m so thankful for the time I enjoyed in his classes and life. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do to help your family.
RIP Phil
Professor Palm was one of the best teacher that I had at UW. He was very nice and caring to his students. He went out of his ways to make an impact. RIP you will be missed.
Professor Palm had a significant impact on my education at UW and where I am now in my career. I remember him as being extremely intelligent, patient, knowledgeable an invested in my success and my understanding of financial risk.
His departure was absolutely heart breaking.
Rest in peace, Professor Palm.
You will be greatly missed.
I just want to say how much I appreciated meeting Phil at the Boeki Kenshu Center in Fujinomiya during our graduate school years. What a loss. He was a great guy and always left a very positive impression. We caught up briefly a few years ago. I’m sorry I didn’t get to know Phil better.
We are approaching Phil’s 3-year death anniversary and I cannot fathom at the fact at how inspirational Phil was for us all.
Professor Palm,
It’s been 7 years or so since you’ve visited me in Tokyo. Still remember the night we had a dinner in Akasaka like it was yesterday, along with vivid memories of you taking me and other students to NYC in 2010 to visit companies in Wall Street.
I was hoping to get back in touch with you to update you on my latest, all have been more than I could’ve imagined or asked for back then, to share my sincere gratitude for all of your guidance.
Just wanted to leave a note to remind you that I’m thankful to have met you and be yourself student. I look forward to catching up with you in due time.
Professor Palm,
Your personality, expertise and educational abilities are sorely missed. Thanks for being a great professor and imparting both wisdom and enthusiasm into your students; truly no greater qualities could ever be asked for. Wishing your family the best.
Kelly