Robert Pollard

Robert J. (Bob) Pollard was born June 10, 1937, to James and Myrtle Pollard in St. George Township, Minnesota. He passed away at home April 15, 2012, at the age of 74. He met Karen Lynn Rouse on a blind date in 1960. They were married on March 18, 1961, and spent the next 51 years enjoying life together. Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1954, and he loved being a submariner. He served aboard the USS Perch and USS Redfish before coming to Idaho to attend, and later instruct at the Nuclear Power School at the Naval Reactor Testing Site. Completing his duty in Idaho, Bob served on the USS Halibut, stationed at Pearl Harbor. After his honorable discharge in 1963, he returned to INL, where he worked as a reactor operator and metallurgist, and he was the only electron beam welder at the Site. In 1972, the year his son was born, Bob started his own business, from which he retired in 2002. He was gifted in so many areas, and was very mechanically inclined. Whether it was restaurant equipment or a defective faucet, Bob could fix anything. He taught others, and could coach them through even the most challenging repairs. He made time to build two houses, and remodel several others. Bob was an avid fisherman and hunter, but later discovered a penchant for golf a�" he played 132 rounds last year. His golfing buddies called him "Hoppy" because of his unique golf swing. Often he would head to American Falls, where he would play golf during the afternoon and fish the rest of the day. His favorite golfing and fishing buddy was his dog, Teddy. Bob is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his daughter, Roslyn (Bob) Prestwich, his son, Alex (Kristin) Pollard, and his precious grandchildren, Susan-Kate and Becka Prestwich, and Griffin Pollard, all of Pocatello. He is also survived by his brother, Tom (Janet); his sisters, Mary Ann (Jim), Donna (Duane) and Jean; his brother- and sister-in-law, Bob and La Rae Rouse; and sister-in-law, Norma Southworth. Cremation has already taken place and at Bob's request, no services are planned. His family and all of his many friends will always remember his generosity, joviality and compassion. We will all miss you. We love you, Papa.