Virginia Beach–Palmer S. Rutherford, Jr. died on February 5, 2026, at his home at Westminster Canterbury. He was months shy of his 91st birthday.

On June 13, 1935, Palmer was born at his grandmother’s home in Bristol, VA to  Palmer S. Rutherford, Sr. and Mary Bane Kelly. Initially they lived in Abingdon where his dad taught and coached at Abingdon High. The family relocated to Falls Church VA where Palmer demonstrated leadership, athleticism, and scholastic abilities which would become a hallmark of his life. His early achievements included president of his senior class and letters in basketball and football.

At UVA, Palmer hit the ground running. He played on the First-Year basketball team and by Fourth Year, became the Manager of the UVA Intramural Sports Program. He rushed Sigma Nu fraternity and became president of the Glee Club. He managed the Tuesday Evening Concert series and was tapped into the T.I.L.K.A. honorary society. In his fourth year, Palmer was bestowed the cherished honor of living on the Lawn.

Following graduation, Palmer served in the U.S. Army Reserves as a tank commander before attending the University of Virginia Law School. In his study and application of law, he continued a long, familial tradition of service to the legal and civic community: Palmer’s great-grandfather was a Circuit Judge in Southwest Virginia in the 1800s, and his grandfather, Joseph L. Kelly, had been a well-respected Virginia Supreme Court Justice. 

In 1962, Palmer, wife Jean, and 1-year-old Palmer III, moved to Norfolk where he joined the law firm of Rixey & Rixey. In 1982, the successors to that firm, Eley, Rutherford & Leafe, merged with Willcox & Savage P.C., where Palmer practiced as a partner until retirement.

At Willcox & Savage P.C., Palmer distinguished himself through service to the legal profession and the community. He was a member of the Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, served as President of the Norfolk and Portsmouth Bar Association, and was named on The Best Lawyers in America list. 

Palmer felt one of his greatest achievements took place outside the courtroom, though. He was instrumental in founding the local chapter of Lawyers Helping Lawyers, a statewide program for lawyers with substance abuse and addiction issues. For decades he worked to help legal professionals regain their footing, rebuild their careers, and change their lives with care and dignity. He continued his involvement after retirement and remained proud of its mission and successes.

Among his many civic activities, Palmer served on the Board of the Tidewater Community College Educational Foundation, serving as chair for three years. He assisted in the formation of the Hampton Roads Maritime Heritage Foundation (Schooner Virginia Project). He volunteered for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia, holding chairman positions in a variety of areas, including the one closest to his heart, Camp Chanco. He was on the team that scouted and procured the current camp property. He served as Boy Scout Master and board member of the Area Council for Boy Scouts of America. For many years he scored Bar Exams, mentored adults through the Norfolk Adult Literacy Tutoring Program and volunteered with Christopher Academy in Portsmouth. 

Relaxation took the form of time on the waters of the Nansemond and Elizabeth rivers– sailing, canoeing, motoring–and teaching his three children to identify constellations and use tools to fix things. He loved to problem solve. He savored time spent with friends and family, especially his much-beloved grandchildren. 

Palmer leaves behind a legacy of hard work, professionalism and congeniality. He was predeceased by Jean, his sisters Ann and Jane, and son Kelly. Cherishing his memory are his children, Palmer III and Laine, Anne and Dave (Zobel), daughter-in-law Claudia; grandchildren Chelsea (Dan), Raven (Jimmy), John, Sinter Claire (Julia), Marshall (Nicole), and Colton; beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and close extended family; dear old friends and newer Westminster Canterbury friends. Many thanks to the staff at Westminster Canterbury on the Bay for their wonderful care.

A memorial service (with interment immediately following) will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, Norfolk, VA, Saturday, March 7th, at 11am. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to Camp Chanco on the James, Memo: Palmer Rutherford Bath-House Refurbishment Fund. (Camp Chanco on the James, 394 Floods Dr, Spring Grove, VA 23881).