by Stephen Kelly
Since Rachman’s passing, many of us have been concerned about the County of San Diego having custody of Rachman’s body and how the County would proceed. Yesterday, the County administrator called to tell me that Rachman did have a Pre-Need contract with the Trident Society and that his body will be treated with dignity in accord with his wishes.
Rachman, as we know, was a very private person and there was no ceremony stipulated. However, we will be able to provide a tribute to him on the Trident Society’s web site. I have been in touch with Sarah Harkins, a close friend of Rachman’s mother, Thelma. She’s known Rachman since he was a boy and she will be contributing to the narrative. Rest in peace, dear Rachman.
Remembering Rachman Palmer
The local helpers of Subud California at San Diego regret to inform you of the passing of our brother and friend Rachman (Reynold) Palmer. Rachman was a long time member of the San Diego group since the early 80s. He was devoted to the latihan, a local helper, and for many years a dedicated informal caretaker of our local Subud hall. Rachman was a contemporary artist and sculptor, constructing pieces out of found objects. He was also an avid reader and lifelong student of classic philosophy.
A selamatan will be held immediately following latihan on Saturday, March 4th at the San Diego hall. Please join us to share remembrances of Rachman. A zoom link will be provided for those who would like to join us remotely. Send your request for the zoom link to: renatareid88<at>gmail.com
For more information, please contact Halim Berrier (619) 729-7404, or Renata Reid (760) 420-5464
Please share your own remembrances of Rachman Palmer on the regional website. Find the Comment box at the end of this web page below, under “Leave a Reply”).
For hours after latihan or potlucks or work parties, Rachman, my mom Grace (RIP) & I would talk about this, that, and everything, losing all concept of time. As Subud San Diego’s treasurer for many years, he was also trusted with charity funds. Rachman was good to our family & we’re grateful to have known him. Mom would have had more to say if she were here, but I was moved to retell her poem this way:
Buoyant is the life of man
With a purpose to secure
Buoyant is the heart of man
With a warming feeling
Buoyant is the mind of man
With a question to answer
Buoyant is the grave of man
With an epitaph
Love, Alwin
Rachman was so skilled at creating whimsical but logical pieces of art… and that reflected his spirit: unique, playfully humorous, wry, and dry in a detached, analytical and proactive approach to the world around him. Have’nt seen him in 7 years but I will miss him as II’ve missed Grace in a similar context to what Alwin described… as well as in many others . Thanks, Rachman, for your friendship. I hope to see you in the beyond where there must be much more to share…a vast number of viewpoints to exchange yet again…
I shared a house with “Reynold” in the mid 70’s. This was in Gordon, Australia. I still have a lot of found memories of that time. We got along well. Although I never had any further contact with Reynold after his return to the States, he left a few mementos which I still have and which regularly reminded me of him . A bright multi colord paint brushes box which I use for storing my pens, a painter’s knive which I found very useful for many things except painting, “big Sur” the book he suggested I read. Not the old holden car though, that he had to leave behind as Reynold could not at short notice find a buyer so i decided to purchase as my first ever automobile. Shortly after that, I drove this Holden car to Melbourne 650 miles south, for Bapak’ visit. Fortunatly or unfortunatly , just as I entered the centre of the city of Melbourne one of the piston blew up. It still managed on for a couple Kms to the destination to the surprise I am sure of all the pedestrians that were about as the motor was making unimaginable loud groining noices. Reynold never mentioned anything about checking the oil 🙂 Those carefree days always brings a smile.
And so many times over the years I have wondered what had happened to Reynold. Now I know and I am grateful for the San Diego Group for reaching out. This allow me now to wish farewell to an old friend. Heavenly peace to you brother Rachman.
I remember Rachman (then Reynold) many, many years ago in Melbourne. He was a very nice guy. Like most of us then he was “searching”. May flights of angels sing him to his rest.
His passing reminded me of how important it is to try and connect with and support aging members of our Subud community, just like Rachman did for his dad. Even when he wasn’t sure that his dad cared.
Reynold/Rachman and I knew each other when he lived in the Los Angeles area. He talked about his family and how he had to go up to visit his father every now and then to be sure he was OK. When I’d ask him how it went, he’d just shrug and say it went OK. But he wasn’t sure if his dad really cared if he came up to see him.
What I got about that story was that, even though he couldn’t tell if his dad really cared about him, still, he cared enough about his dad that he wanted him to know that by visiting.
After Reynold’s dad died he moved to San Diego where my wife and I visited him there. He’d gotten himself a studio apartment that had plenty of room for him to work on his sculptures . He showed me some of his work when we went to visit and I told him that I really liked what he was working on. Right then and there he gave me 4 pieces, which I treasured. When we moved to the Pacific Northwest I kept them in my office as inspiration.
Time past, we adopted a daughter and became busy as parents. After our daughter left for college, we started remove things in order to make room for a possible move. I decided that I should send these works – that had inspired me all those years – back to him. I included a note saying I’d like to catch up.
Not having heard from him, I decided to give him a call. We connected and I explained that I felt that these works of art belonged to him and that I had loved them while they were with me. We talked awhile about his life, the San Diego Subud group and how he was doing – the things that old friends do when they catchup after a long time away from each other. We left it that we should talk more often. I never got that chance.
God Bless you where ever this part of your journey takes you. I’m so glad you were a part of my life.