A native Californian, Doug Palmer was raised in the Sierra foothills, and spent his younger years exploring the countryside, searching for Gold Rush era artifacts, and occasionally hopping freight trains. After high school, he attended UCLA, then Emerson College, an experimental college in Pacific Grove, CA, and eventually studied poetry at San Francisco State University and UC Berkeley.

 

In the early 1960’s Doug began “street writing”, using the name Facino, writing thousands of poems for students and workers in front of Sather Gate at UC Berkeley, and for tourists and visitors at the entrance to City Lights Book Store in San Francisco. Doug, as Facino, wore a sign and wrote poems on any topic of a person’s choosing in exchange for money, food, or useful articles, and through his poetry, connected with people from all over the world. 

 

Doug was invited to read his poems as a part of the 1965 Berkeley Poetry Conference, and was co-editor of the poetry anthology “Poems Read in the Spirit of Peace and Gladness” in 1966. Doug formed a Poets Union local under the International Workers of the World (IWW), for Poets, Artists, Musicians & Sympathizers, and organized readings at the Union Hall and other venues in Berkeley and San Francisco. 

 

He arranged poetry, music and dance events in Berkeley in the early 1970’s with poets and writers Czeslaw Milosz, Josephine Miles, Robert Silverberg, Kay Boyle, Tillie Olsen, Frederick Manfred and Fritz Leiber, along with other local guest poets, musicians, dancers, and performance artists. 

 

In his later years, Doug continued his legacy of “street writing” more informally, writing poems for people he met in his daily life, when moments and interactions inspired him. At the time of his passing, he was working on a compilation of his more recent poems. He was an editor and writer, had several books of his poetry published, and poems included in anthologies. 

 

Doug had a life-long love of trains, old bottles and vintage toys. He loved book scouting, garage sales, and recycling. In addition, he discovered a love for playing bamboo drums with friends at music jams and other musical events. He is survived by his wife, three sons, two grandchildren, and many family members and friends. Doug’s ashes were placed near his parents’ gravesites at a family plot in Northern California.

 

In Doug’s memory, please donate to a charity of your choice, read a poem, watch a Warriors or Yankees game, ride a train, or do a kind deed for someone. 

 

The family would like to extend sincere thanks to all who have called, sent cards, emails and flowers, and delivered food. We have found comfort in your generosity, and will always be grateful for your kindness, friendship and love.