Memorial Fund for Army Veteran Clint Palmquist
Donation protected
The life of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 (ret.) Clinton Palmquist was cut short on the evening of Memorial Day 2021. The heart-breaking event robbed the world of a true renaissance man, creative mind, loyal friend, and compassionate soul. With help, we hope to keep his passion for art, dogs, and creativity flourishing for many generations to come.
Clint was driving to his home in the California desert when a drunk driver crossed the median and struck Clint’s vehicle head on. In his final moments, Clint performed his last selfless act by swerving the vehicle to save the life of his wife, Clint’s muse and love, Tiff. Clint’s side of the vehicle took the full force of the impact and tragically ended his life. The shock of the loss is compounded by the reality that Clint had so much more left to offer the world and so much more life to experience. Clint’s sudden loss left projects unfinished, fences unmended, and adventures forever waiting. We want to continue to spread his love of dogs and help out the next self-taught creative savant learn and thrive.
Clint enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997, eventually becoming a Signals Intelligence Warrant Officer in 2004. His insatiable appetite for learning how things worked, fixing problems, and mentoring others made him an exemplary member of the Warrant Officer Corps, a membership which brought him a lot of pride. Clint also continuously sought out challenges and deployments, ranging from Afghanistan to Algiers. In 2015 Clint made another career shift, entering the field of Area Intelligence. His technical background and hunger for professional growth quickly made him a key member of his team both in garrison and during his two deployments to Iraq. Clint embodied the quiet professional, preferring to grind away where work was needed and allowing others to take credit.
Clint’s interests and expertise were boundless. He was a gifted photographer, expert mechanic, skilled creator, talented welder, brewmaster, and so many more things that the list could never be exhaustive. He was a voracious learner, choosing to learn a skill rather than consider something outside his capability. When he couldn’t find what he needed, he built it. If he made an error, he rebuilt it. All while maintaining a youthful delight in the process instead of cursing setbacks. Clint also wanted to share these joys with those near him. He was a patient teacher and worked to show others the pleasure they could gain from being present in the moment, lost in creation. He was generous with his time and energy, helping those he barely knew and touching the lives of many. Though Clint was open and loving to so many humans, he was perhaps closest to his dogs in many ways. Whether it was singing to them, playing silly games of chase, or wanting to adopt every needy dog he saw online, Clint rejoiced in the silliness and unconditional love of every canine friend he made throughout his life.
Clint reached the end of his military career in 2018, reassessing his life and eyeing his second act. He weighed many aspects of his existence and made many changes. He was just starting to find his stride in this new life, planning for the future while embracing spontaneity. He fell in love with the hauntingly majestic desert of Landers, California where he purchased a house that was to serve as a base of operations for his and Tiff’s adventures. Clint had just celebrated his 45th birthday, but was a younger man in many ways than he had been in many years. His enthusiasm and energy for life was palpable and those around him were excited to see where his adventure would lead. His wife, Tiff, helped him put on his jet pack and taught him to soar.
Nothing will lessen the pain of losing Clint or come close to replacing him. We can only strive to spread the love and creativity he brought to those he touched. All donations will be split between four organizations, three of which Clint valued and had helped in the past and one which will be made to help his memory live on. With the donations, we will help support the San Antonio Humane Society’s no-kill shelter and Lucille’s Doggy Daycare in the hope of honoring Clint’s dedication to his canine friends and confidants over the years. A portion of the donations will also be given to the Station Foundation in Bozeman, Montana, which served a critical role in Clint’s transition into civilian life. Lastly, a significant portion of the donations will be given to arts and trade schools to fund a scholarship so others can learn the skills that gave Clint so much pleasure.
Donation events will be announced on this page so others can participate if they wish to help celebrate Clint’s legacy.
Clint was driving to his home in the California desert when a drunk driver crossed the median and struck Clint’s vehicle head on. In his final moments, Clint performed his last selfless act by swerving the vehicle to save the life of his wife, Clint’s muse and love, Tiff. Clint’s side of the vehicle took the full force of the impact and tragically ended his life. The shock of the loss is compounded by the reality that Clint had so much more left to offer the world and so much more life to experience. Clint’s sudden loss left projects unfinished, fences unmended, and adventures forever waiting. We want to continue to spread his love of dogs and help out the next self-taught creative savant learn and thrive.
Clint enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1997, eventually becoming a Signals Intelligence Warrant Officer in 2004. His insatiable appetite for learning how things worked, fixing problems, and mentoring others made him an exemplary member of the Warrant Officer Corps, a membership which brought him a lot of pride. Clint also continuously sought out challenges and deployments, ranging from Afghanistan to Algiers. In 2015 Clint made another career shift, entering the field of Area Intelligence. His technical background and hunger for professional growth quickly made him a key member of his team both in garrison and during his two deployments to Iraq. Clint embodied the quiet professional, preferring to grind away where work was needed and allowing others to take credit.
Clint’s interests and expertise were boundless. He was a gifted photographer, expert mechanic, skilled creator, talented welder, brewmaster, and so many more things that the list could never be exhaustive. He was a voracious learner, choosing to learn a skill rather than consider something outside his capability. When he couldn’t find what he needed, he built it. If he made an error, he rebuilt it. All while maintaining a youthful delight in the process instead of cursing setbacks. Clint also wanted to share these joys with those near him. He was a patient teacher and worked to show others the pleasure they could gain from being present in the moment, lost in creation. He was generous with his time and energy, helping those he barely knew and touching the lives of many. Though Clint was open and loving to so many humans, he was perhaps closest to his dogs in many ways. Whether it was singing to them, playing silly games of chase, or wanting to adopt every needy dog he saw online, Clint rejoiced in the silliness and unconditional love of every canine friend he made throughout his life.
Clint reached the end of his military career in 2018, reassessing his life and eyeing his second act. He weighed many aspects of his existence and made many changes. He was just starting to find his stride in this new life, planning for the future while embracing spontaneity. He fell in love with the hauntingly majestic desert of Landers, California where he purchased a house that was to serve as a base of operations for his and Tiff’s adventures. Clint had just celebrated his 45th birthday, but was a younger man in many ways than he had been in many years. His enthusiasm and energy for life was palpable and those around him were excited to see where his adventure would lead. His wife, Tiff, helped him put on his jet pack and taught him to soar.
Nothing will lessen the pain of losing Clint or come close to replacing him. We can only strive to spread the love and creativity he brought to those he touched. All donations will be split between four organizations, three of which Clint valued and had helped in the past and one which will be made to help his memory live on. With the donations, we will help support the San Antonio Humane Society’s no-kill shelter and Lucille’s Doggy Daycare in the hope of honoring Clint’s dedication to his canine friends and confidants over the years. A portion of the donations will also be given to the Station Foundation in Bozeman, Montana, which served a critical role in Clint’s transition into civilian life. Lastly, a significant portion of the donations will be given to arts and trade schools to fund a scholarship so others can learn the skills that gave Clint so much pleasure.
Donation events will be announced on this page so others can participate if they wish to help celebrate Clint’s legacy.
Co-organizers (2)
Tiffany C
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Garrett Palmquist
Co-organizer