November 7, 2021

(DES MOINES, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) family is saddened to learn of the passing of former director Charles Palmer on Sunday.

“Director Palmer was a great public servant, leader and friend,” said DHS Director Kelly Garcia. “I’m grateful and thankful for his kind words of encouragement and partnership over the past two years, I was fortunate to have known him. He had a tremendous passion for those we serve and for supporting the team at DHS. His work and passion continued up to his passing. He will be deeply missed.”

Former Governor Terry Branstad named Palmer the director of DHS twice.

The first was in 1989 when he served as director of DHS until 1999, and again in 2011. Before serving as director, Palmer was the Department’s administrator of the Division of Mental Health. He retired from the Department in 2017.

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Media contact:

Alex Carfrae

acarfra@dhs.state.ia.us

515-281-4848