Stephen D. "Steve" Palmateer

Stephen D. “Steve” Palmateer, 84, of New Paris, died on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at his residence. He was born on August 17, 1941 in Sacramento, CA, a son of the late Donald G. and Veda Ruth (Eggers) Palmateer. On September 4, 1959 in Gardnerville, NV, he married Elinor Ann (Schluter) Palmateer and she preceded him in death in 1996. On May 1, 1999 in Warrenton, VA, he married Catherine (Hoffman) Palmateer and she survives along with two sons: Greg Palmateer (Debbie) of NC, and Don Palmateer (Michele) of MD; one step-son: Bruce Stocking (Eliza) of VA; four grandchildren: Jennifer, Stephen, Bethany, and Lori; one step-grandson: Jacob; five great-grandchildren; and a sister: Alice Anderson of Mexico. He was preceded in death by a son, Todd Palmateer (Nina), and a sister, Patricia Tis.

Steve graduated from American River College, Oregon State, and the University of California at Davis majoring in Wildlife Biology. He also received degrees from Penn State and Harvard. He worked at the University of California at Davis and the Oregon Fish and Game Commission. He moved from California to Maryland and took a position with the Environmental Protection Agency from 1970 to 1990 and then with the United States Department of Agriculture from 1990 until his retirement in 1996. During his career, he had assignments which took him to every state in the country. After he married Catherine, they moved to Warrenton, VA where he became involved with the Warrenton Sunrise Lions and served as President of the club. He volunteered in Mississippi twice after Hurricane Katrina and numerous times in Southwest Virginia with the Remote Area Medical Project. In his spare time, Steve loved woodworking, hunting, and fishing.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Bedford with Rev. David Weinhold officiating. Friends will be received on Saturday at 2:30 until the hour of service at the church. Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Steve’s name may do so to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Our online guest book is available at www.berkebilefuneralhome.com.