Perry Palan, May 16, 2024
Perry Palan was born to Dorothy (Adler) and Michael Palan of University City, Missouri, on Thursday, April 8, 1943. He was named after his maternal great-grandfather, Pinchas (Paul) Adler. Born with no middle name, he often joked his parents couldn’t afford one. Later he earned the nicknames “Peaches,” for his love of the fruit, “Perfect” for his nature, and P².
Perry, a bright student who excelled in math and science, graduated from University City High School, served a reservist in the U.S. Army, received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1965, and a J.D. from George Washington University in 1970. He worked on the Gemini space program at McDonnell Douglas from 1965 to 1968, and as a Patent Examiner while attending law school in the evening. After law school he started his own law firm, Leitner, Palan, Martin, and later joined Barnes & Thornburg in 1983 and remained a partner there until his retirement in 2010.
Perry met the love of his life, Rubetta Gale Wolff, while attending Hanley Junior High School in University City, Missouri. The two were engaged in 1964, and married in 1965, and had four children they raised in Rockville, Maryland. Perry and Rubetta always made Shabbat dinner every Friday with their kids a priority, as well as their Saturday date nights. Perry and Rubetta enjoyed fine dining and traveling the world over. They particularly enjoyed the annual Turner Classic Movie cruise, as moviegoing was a huge passion of theirs.
Perry maintained close ties with his family, cousins, and friends, as well as the Jewish community. He was a member of Jonas Salk AZA, a part of B’nai Brith Youth Organization, and would later become an advisor to Theodor Herzl AZA, and a member of the adult board in the Washington, D.C. area. He would volunteer his time to many charities, including delivering Passover packages to Soviet immigrants.
His passing is preceded by his beloved wife Rubetta Gale Palan in 2021, daughter Robin Elise in 1971, granddaughter Mia Palan in 2010, half-sister Judy MacDonald in 1997, and son-in-law David Braunstein in 2021. He is survived by his brother Earl Palan and wife Kate, his eldest daughter Felicia Joy Braunstein, sons Stephen Wolff Palan and Michael Jason Palan, daughters-in-law Elizabeth Palan and Sara Palan, and grandchildren Chloe, Skyler, Nina, Owen, and Olive.
Perry, a brilliant man, quiet soul, and extremely thoughtful human being, gave so much of himself to others. He will forever be missed, but the legacy of his kindness will be carried on by those who knew and loved him.
Graveside service will be held at Judah Memorial Gardens in Olney, Maryland on Sunday, May 19th at 2pm. Shiva will be held directly afterwards at 7401 Westlake Terrace, Bethesda, Maryland. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to BBYO’s Northern Region East: DC Council in honor of Perry’s leadership and community service: bbyo.org/p2palan
