Walter Henry Pollock

Walt Henry Pollock left this world surrounded by his loved ones on June 27, 2023, in the comfort of his home in Lafayette, Colorado, at the age of 91. He was born on April 23, 1932, to William Ernest Pollock and Lois Magdalene Righdenour Pollock in Fruita, Colorado. He grew up on the family homestead in the New Liberty area of Western Colorado, just west of Fruita. Walt was the fourth of five children: James, Betty, Robert, Walt, and Norma. He graduated from Fruita Union High School, where he played basketball, baseball, and football. He joined the Navy in 1951 where he served as a radio operator for four years during the Korean War. After his service, he returned to Fruita where he met the woman who would become his lifelong sweetheart, Patsy (Turner) Pollock. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary on June 15th, 2023.

The new couple moved to Mexican Hat, Utah, where he worked at Texas-Zinc Minerals Corporation. In 1960, the family returned to Fruita and Walt enrolled at Mesa State College to earn an associate's degree. The family then moved to Fort Collins where Walt earned his Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Colorado State University. After graduation, Walt moved the family to Boulder, Colorado where he worked for a year at the Rocky Flats facility and then for twenty-eight years as an atmospheric chemist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR.) His work at NCAR took him all over the world collecting upper atmospheric air samples and analyzing them to research and support the ozone depletion theory.

Walt pursued many passions in life. Camping, fly fishing, hunting, archery, and bird hunting were all major hobbies for Walt and he included his family on many of his adventures. He loved coaching his son’s sports, being an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 78 and attending all his children’s concerts, recitals, and marching band performances. He connected deeply with many friends who shared his same passions. Upon retirement, Walt and Pat spent many winters in their RV in Patagonia, Arizona, where he shifted from bird hunting to bird watching, an activity they both enjoyed immensely. Walt was also an avid genealogist and spent hours each day researching his family roots. He meticulously recorded all his findings for future generations.

Walt was ever present in his grandchildren’s lives. He was immensely proud of their accomplishments and rarely missed an event. As his vision limited his ability to pursue his passions, he lived through all the experiences of his family and never missed an opportunity to get an update about the latest family news.

Walt remained at the center of family life until he passed. He is survived by his wife, Patsy Turner Pollock, his daughter Lori Hattendorf, his daughter Lisa Pellman and son-in-law Brad Pellman, his son Gary Pollock, and his three grandchildren, Melissa Pellman, Gregory Pellman, and Jenna Hattendorf. He is also survived by his brother Robert Pollock, his sister Norma Gobbo, his brother-in-law, Don Turner, all of Fruita, Colorado as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm for Walt at St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3700 Baseline Road, Boulder, CO. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Walt’s name to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, or the American Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cristmortuary.com for the Pollock family.