E. Holcombe Palmer, of Richmond, Va., "canon for life" in the Diocese of Virginia, died Jan. 18 following a long illness. He was 81. Mr. Palmer was the first lay person appointed to the executive staff of the Bishop of Virginia, and was named "canon for life" when he retired in 1987. He joined the diocesan staff as stewardship officer and later became secretary and treasurer.

He was born and grew up in Denver, CO, and attended Colorado College. He graduated from Cornell University, then served in the Navy from 1942 to 1948, achieving the rank of commander and receiving the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit. He was recalled to serve in the Korean War.

Mr. Palmer was a lifelong Episcopalian. In 1953 he joined the staff of The Episcopal Church News, and two years later he was appointed secretary of the Department of Christian Stewardship in the Diocese of Virginia. He was a three-time deputy to General Convention, was active in civic and community organizations, and he received an honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Virginia Theological Seminary. He is survived by four cousins.