Eric Sigvard Polan

Eric Sigvard Polan, age 62, of White Lake, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2024. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 29 years, Monique “Nicki” Polan; his two beloved sons: Thomas Carl Polan, and Carter Andrew Polan; his mother, Renate Polan; his sister, Yvette (David) Blake; his brother, Keith (Anjali) Polan and their children, as well as his in-laws Horst and Hertha Carl, our extended families on both sides, and so many people whose lives he touched during his time in this world.

Eric was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Arthur Polan.

Eric was born January 28, 1962, in Coldwater, Michigan, the son of Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Renate (Staprans) Polan. After graduating from Wheaton Central in 1980, Eric devoted the next several years of his life to furthering his education. In 1984, he began this journey at Western Illinois University, before moving onto Valparaiso University in Indiana with a baseball scholarship. Eventually, Eric would go on to graduate from Cooley Law School in Lansing with a Juris Doctorate degree. After achieving his educational pursuits, Eric would go on to have a successful career in sales, including Hamilton Beach, where he served as U.S. Territory Manager for Hospitality & Specialty Products for the last nine years.

In his free time, Eric volunteered at Lakeshore Legal Aid, providing legal assistance for low-income people. He loved playing golf, reading, going to the movies, and being out on the water catching fish. Though most of all, Eric cherished the time he spent with his loving wife and two sons, some of Eric’s favorite memories were made during the many years he coached his sons’ baseball, basketball and flag football teams. He also cherished the memories made on family vacations, especially his trip to Myrtle Beach with his sons’ baseball team. Eric loved to travel, but the time he had locally with family, friends, and neighbors, resonated just as much.

Eric loved his family, his neighbors, and his friends fiercely. He was kind to everyone he encountered and spread joy wherever he would go. He would give away his last dollar and his last minute to help a person in need. He knew how to connect and respect people in every segment of our society. He made people feel seen and valued. Eric was always positive, and quick to offer a smile, compliment, encouragement, comfort, thank you and usually a joke.

Eric always felt one’s legacy should be to leave the world a better place than you found it – and he achieved this goal. He was as great a husband, father, son, brother and friend, anyone could ask for. Eric will be dearly missed.

A Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 9, 2024, at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. Eric’s family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Friday, March 8, 2024, from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm, and again on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may consider contributions in Eric's memory to Lakeshore Legal Aid.