Richard Pollak
March 29, 2006

Richard F. (Dick) Pollak, 81, of Green Bay, Wisconsin, died Wednesday evening at Aurora Bay-Care Medical Center as a result of complications from multiple major surgeries. Dick was born on September 3, 1924, in Pine River, Wisconsin, to the late Wenzel and Helen (Youngwirth) Pollak. He grew up and attended school in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from high school, he joined the United States Army serving his country honorably for the duration during World War II as a hospital corpsman/medic. Upon his Honorable Discharge, he returned to civilian life and attended Oshkosh State Teachers College, later transferring to UW Madison where he earned his law degree. On August 6, 1949, Dick married Jeanne Marheine in Oshkosh. Dick was employed by the Travelers Insurance Co. for 35 years as a claims adjuster and later as department supervisor representing Travelers Insurance Co. in court in many proceedings until his retirement. He also taught Business Law at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
Always being community oriented, Dick was a Kiwanis Club member for 30 years serving as Secretary, Vice President and President of the Southwest Green Bay Kiwanis Club. He also served two terms as Lieutenant Governor for the Kiwanis District. The Key Club program Dick created at Premontre High School was one of his pet projects from the very beginning until he left Kiwanis. Dick was instrumental in the creation and operation of the Southwest Kiwanis Little League and minor league baseball programs in Southwest Green Bay and served as Little League Commissioner for many years. He also spent many hours teaching Catechism at St. Agnes School as a volunteer teacher. He was a member of the Holy Name Society and gave freely of his time at many church functions.
Dick enjoyed Packer football games, fishing and playing golf, remaining active and enjoying those activities until his death. He was also one of those diehard Chicago Cub fans, forever waiting for next year. He passed on his love of God, family, fishing and sports to his children. He especially enjoyed the week-long fishing trips to Canada or Minnesota with his sons, Rich and Bob and son-in-law, Ron. A creative cook, Dick liked to try different recipes but will always be remembered as ?The Master of the Barbecue? at family gatherings where his cheeseburgers would draw rave reviews from all in attendance. However, his mastery of salmon loaf left all of us gasping in awe!
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Jeanne; two sons, Rich and Bob Pollak, Green Bay; two daughters, Sue (Ron) Gillis, Green Bay and Kathy (Fred) Melkey, Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren, Dana, Mark (Christine) and Todd (Tina) Williquette, Green Bay; Alexis Austin, San Luis Obispo, California; Zachary Chartrand, Green Bay; Kasie Melkey, Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Lisa, Katrina, Ryan and Chad Gillis, Green Bay; three great-grandchildren, Andrew, Taylor and Quinn Williquette, Green Bay; three sisters, Lucille (Don) Clausen, Doris Panske and Marie Grable, all of Oshkosh; and many special nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Wenzel and Helen Pollak, he was preceded in death by two daughters, Pat Pollak and Jean Pollak Chartrand; one great-granddaughter, Madie Williquette; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Urban and Elizabeth Marheine; one daughter-in-law, Judy Pollak; six brothers, Rod, Leo, Jack, Louie, Joe and Vic; and two sisters, Adele and Rose.
Friends may call from 4:00 to 7:00 P.M. Sunday, April 2, at Lyndahl Funeral Home, Lombardi Avenue at Ridge Road where a wake service will be held at 6:30 P.M. Visitation will continue after 10:00 A.M. Monday at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 1484 Ninth Street, where the Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 A.M. with the Rev. Richard Getchel officiating. Entombment will be at Allouez Catholic Mausoleum. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lyndahl.com
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Richard's name.
The Pollak family would like to thank Drs. Per Anderas, Raul Mendoza-Ayola, Russell Novak, Jeffery Keller and Jack Swelstad for their efforts over the last three months and a special thank you to the staff of the Aurora-Baycare second floor ICU, Respiratory, Speech and Occupational Therapy and especially Colleen Bouche for the time, dedication, care and compassion shown to Dick, Jeanne and our entire family during this difficult time.
Lyndahl Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
Lombardi Ave. at Ridge Rd.
(920) 499-1223

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