21 Facts About Robin Palmer

Robin Palmer was born in Harlem on April 7,1930, to palaeontologist Katherine Van Winkle Palmer and educationalist Ephraim Laurence Palmer, both of whom worked as college professors.

Robin Palmer worked as a tree surgeon for most of his life, but worked for 12 years as a deep sea diver for International Underwater Contractors.

Robin Palmer worked as a high school English teacher in Harlem for 6 years, but lost his teaching license after it was discovered that he had simultaneously been moonlighting in pornography; a turn of events covered at the time by Playboy magazine.

In October 1967 Robin Palmer participated in the March on the Pentagon which ended in a riot outside the building.

Robin Palmer was arrested on a felony charge of assaulting a US marshal, and anti-war activist Dr Benjamin Spock helped bail Robin Palmer out of jail.

An image of Robin Palmer being beaten by police on the steps outside the Pentagon was featured on the front page of the Washington Post.

Robin Palmer would be involved in the 1968 Columbia University protests, where he participated in the takeover of administrative buildings by the Students for a Democratic Society, and where he began to form a close relationship with Sam Melville.

Robin Palmer was arrested during the 1968 Democratic National Convention protests after throwing a chunk of concrete through a car window.

Robin Palmer was similarly named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Melville collective.

Robin Palmer had trained as a paratrooper in the early 1950s, but when called to serve in the Korean War he became one of a handful of conscientious objectors.

Robin Palmer was the leading member of a group of Weathermen who planned - and attempted to carry out - a series of firebombing attacks on various locations in New York City, beginning on the one-year anniversary of the assassination of Fred Hampton by police in Chicago.

The other five conspirators had their bail set at $50,000 each, but Robin Palmer was separately charged with being a recruiter for the Weather Underground, and his bail was set at $250,000.

Robin Palmer began his prison sentence at Attica Correctional Facility shortly before the 1971 Attica Uprising, during which Sam Melville was killed, Robin Palmer claiming that he had died in his arms.

Robin Palmer was critical of the Palestine Liberation Organization and was a staunch supporter of Israel.

Robin Palmer expressed regret for his involvement in the attempted arson attack, and described his involvement with the Weather Underground as a "disillusioning journey".

Robin Palmer worked as a local cable TV host and producer for 20 years, and was a Kiwanian during this time.

Robin Palmer was a member of the Tompkins County Veteran's Committee and the Ithaca Gay Men's Chorus.

Robin Palmer lived with cancer for 20 years before he died on August 20,2010, at the age of 80.

Robin Palmer was survived by his wife of 21 years, Mimi Melegrito, and his children Christopher, Tina and Cindy.

Robin Palmer's wife Mimi was born in Luzon in the Philippines and moved to the United States in 1965 at the age of 17.

Robin Palmer served as the first female President of the Ithaca Kiwanis, and as Charter President of Cayuga Kiwanis.