Born in Rochester, N.Y., Tim was the son of Charles Albert Palmer and Bette Margaret (Jones) Palmer, both of whom predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his beloved life partner, J. Scott Osadchey, and two of his brothers. He is survived by three brothers, one sister, and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and great-great-nieces and -nephews.
Tim was raised in Stafford, N.Y., and graduated from Batavia High School in 1967 with high academic honors. He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the State University of New York at Albany in 1971. Following graduation, he remained in Albany, where he worked on numerous statewide political campaigns and as a legislative aide in both the New York State Assembly and Senate.
While working in the state senate, Tim became a trusted aide to state senator Mary Anne Krupsak, continuing to serve as a campaign and legislative aide when she was elected the first female lieutenant governor in New York State history. During this time, he also completed a master’s degree in communications from Syracuse University.
During his time in Albany, Tim also met the love of his life, Scott Osadchey. Together with their beloved springer spaniel, Buddy, they shared a home in Delmar, N.Y. Deeply engaged in their community, they were tireless advocates for affordable housing, rural health care and a compassionate response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. After losing many friends to HIV/AIDS — and Scott to the disease in 1990 — Tim dedicated his life to advancing care and rights for people living with HIV and for the LGBTQ+ community.
He was a founder and executive director of the Corporation for AIDS Research, Education, and Services (CARES) in Albany and later served as executive director of the Boston AIDS Consortium at the Harvard School of Public Health. In Vermont, as executive director of Vermont CARES, Tim helped develop the state’s first supportive housing for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Tim had a remarkable gift for building and nurturing nonprofit organizations and mentoring emerging leaders. After Vermont CARES he held leadership roles at Community of Vermont Elders (COVE), Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR), Sustainability Institute, Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and the Housing Foundation, Inc. Tim’s deep understanding of systems thinking gave him a unique perspective that made him a valued leader in the many organizations he worked with. He cared deeply about the environment and believed strongly in social responsibility, values that were evident in every facet of his life. He embodied his values and had the deepest respect for human beings. He was a brilliant program manager and supervisor who frequently worked himself out of a job because he nurtured leadership skills that helped those he supervised become leaders themselves. Later in his career, he founded Vermentor, through which he continued to coach and guide young professionals with insight, humor and genuine care — something he continued to do until his passing.
Those who knew Tim will remember his loyalty, warmth and compassion; his quick wit and love of lively debate; and his deep capacity for friendship.
Special thanks are extended to Tim’s dear friends Tiff, Michael and Amy; his brother Duffy; and Dr. Daniel Goodyear for their support and care during the final chapter of his life.
An informal gathering to celebrate Tim’s life will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, 2 p.m., at the Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, 70 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, VT. Donations may be made in his memory to a nonprofit organization of your choice that reflects his lifelong commitment to justice, compassion and community.
This article appears in The Winter Preview Issue 2025.
Tim was a remarkable neighbor and friend. His garage was full of groceries he would buy to give away to the food shelf in Burlington, Vermont. There were also tennis balls there that my dog Sophia loved to rummage for and steel away with. Tim was just as generous with her. His dedicated work and this lovely person will be greatly missed.
I miss this dear walking companion and friend and am amazed, but not surprised by all the connections in the obit.
I loved Tim so much. I worked under him in the 90s at Vermont CARES. Always caring, compassionate and a trusted guide when I made mistakes. I will forever remember him as a loving and caring man. Blessings to you, Tim, on the next leg of the journey.
Tim was one of the best humans I have ever known! He did mentor me in the non profit world, and his impacts and outreach will leave a long and impactful legacy. May you be at peace Tim…thank you for sharing your time, talents, and genuine compassion with so many of us!!
I was a long-time volunteer at Vermont CARES when Tim moved to Vermont in the mid-1990s to become executive director. He was a caring, active and able leader at a time of crisis when people were still dying of AIDS. You left a positive legacy for your good works. Godspeed, Tim.
Oh, so sad to learn of Tim’s passing. Tim was an extraordinary human. He had a deep impact on me and just about everyone who had the good fortune to intersect paths with him. I last saw him about a year ago when he was out on one of his vigorous walks. Always a joy to to talk with, always willing to share his time, always the best listener. Tim is missed!
I met Tim by chance on a tennis court during peak Covid, when the world felt shut down and no one was quite sure how to interact. We both showed up alone to hit against the wall. He looked over with that effortless charm of his and asked if I wanted to rally. We played for a while and, before long, made plans to play again. What began as a spontaneous match grew into one of the most meaningful friendships of my life.
Tim walked with me through some of my hardest and most transformative years, my divorce, my growth in my career, meeting the love of my life, and eventually the extraordinary honor of having him officiate my wedding. He held my newborn son in his arms. He showed up for me in every season. And although I was younger, I like to think he found wisdom in me, too.
Our conversations stretched from political science to quantum physics to spirituality. Tim had this remarkable ability to share incredible stories without a trace of ego, like casually mentioning he’d met Nelson Mandela, only because it was relevant to whatever truth we were exploring together.
I will miss Tim dearly in his physical form, but I know he’s still with us in ways we don’t yet fully understand. His presence, his influence, and the love he gave continue on.
We love you, Tim!
I met Tim by chance on a tennis court during peak Covid, when the world felt shut down and no one was quite sure how to interact. We both showed up alone to hit against the wall. He looked over with that effortless charm of his and asked if I wanted to rally. We played for a while and, before long, made plans to play again. What began as a spontaneous match grew into one of the most meaningful friendships of my life.