Richard Dennis Pollard

After fighting a year and a half long battle with Stage 4 Cancer, retired LTC. Richard Dennis Pollard, fondly known as Ric, passed away at the age of 71, on June 5, 2022 at 6:31am. He was born February 3, 1951 to Richard Washington Pollard and Nina Canty, in New Rochelle, New York. He would later be raised with his siblings Thelma, Shirley and Vernon in Bronx, New York. He grew up like any other child in the heart of the city, having his struggles, but with love, reassurance, and strong family values, he went on to graduate from James Monroe High School in 1969.

After Ric graduated high school, he would eventually meet his first wife, and father Richard Vernon Pollard and Treena Erica Pollard. Because he was a man that wanted more for his life and the lives of his children, he enrolled in the Fashion Institute of Technology, in New York, NY and would gain his Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising. But it just wasn’t enough to change his scene from the hard streets of NY to a life of success. Ric sought something greater. So, he enlisted in the United States Army on May 5, 1975. Though this proved to be a life changing event that would truly propel him to those greater heights he sought, this would also usher in the amicable end of his first marriage.

Though these were times where change was constant and did not always feel like success, the prayers of his mother Nina would come to fruition and he would shine and grow in ways he would never dream of. It began with a very extensive military education to include: The Branch Immaterial Officer Course in 1978, Basic Quartermaster Officer Course in 1979, Para Pack MNT-Airdrop in 1980, Advanced Quartermaster Course 1985, the Quartermaster Officer Advanced GTSMM Track in 1985, CAS in 1985, the Systems Automation Course 1989, Command & General College in 1992, Material Acquisition Management in 1994, and Advanced Program Management in 1996.

In the midst of all of this military education he managed to further his civilian education as well to include a Bachelor’s degree from Methodist College, majoring in Fashion and Buying, while minoring in Psychology in 1984; a Master’s degree from Florida Institute of Technology majoring in Contract and Acquisition in 1988; an Associate’s in Nursing – ADN from Arizona Western College in 2002; and completing these years of excellence by obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing – BSN from Northern Arizona University in 2005.

His hard work would not go unrecognized over the years, whether in formal or military education. Among his military awards he would receive more than 20 military honors and be recognized over 30 times for his educational and training achievements.

In the midst of all these achievements and successes, he knew that a man that findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and he would find his wife and love of 30 years, Irene. They would meet while working together in Fort Lee, VA and later be joined as one in Prince George, VA in August of 1990. This would begin the life long journey of building a legacy that would leave its mark on not just their family but in every community that they would go on to live in.

After 24 years of faithful, duteous, and impeccable service to his country and community, Ric would retire on August 31, 1999. Retirement would not stop Ric from continuing in the path of excellence. He would go on to a long career in nursing, one he would press to hold on to until a few months prior to his death. Ric worked in such places as Indian Health Services, Excel Group, YRMC, and AWC. Though he was a great nurse with a desire to help others heal, his true joy was teaching the great minds of tomorrow to be better nurses than he ever was.

Though his hands were full, his heart had more room and so he and Irene would go on to become foster parents, at times parenting as many as 6 children at one time. Though it would be years since they had had to raise up such small children, they faced the challenges of parenthood with determination and immense love. After many of their foster children would go on to their families, Adrianna and Victoria would remain, and legally become part of the Pollard Family.

Over these many years, though he loved many and many loved him, there would be no relationship, success, or achievement that could match his decision to develop a relationship with Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It was during his years in Fort Lee, VA that Ric began to develop a real hunger for the Word of GOD. Though he was raised in church, he became the example of the Word where it says in Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” While walking out these many paths in his journey, he would remember the voice of GOD, and answered the call to return back to The Way. Of all the places he worshipped with while going throughout the world, Grace Bible Fellowship was the place that he truly called home. It was the place where he would not just serve, but be launched into an action filled ministry. He would become a servant after GOD’s own heart. If love covers a multitude of sin, then Ric became a willing vessel to cover a multitude, embodying the Fruit of the Spirit as spoken of in Galatians 5:22-23.

In Grace Bible Fellowship he would become security, visionary, financial guru, keeper of compliance, teacher, prayer warrior, giver, and so much more. But for all that he would become for Grace Bible, what they gave in return was even greater. He received revelation, understanding, healing, forgiveness, relationship, gratitude, strength, and of course over flowing love.

What made Ric special is simple. He allowed his imperfection to be made perfect, by allowing Jesus Christ into his everything. He never professed to be perfect, but professed a perfect gospel. He knew he was a sinner, and gracefully accepted Jesus in to justify him, complete his sanctification process, and welcome him into this stage of glorification. HE MADE IT!!!

Richard D. Pollard is preceded in death by his mother Nina Pollard, his father Richard W. Pollard, his brother Vernon Pollard, his brother-in-law Roosevelt Elmore and granddaughter Mariah Marmolejo.

He is survived by his wife Irene Pollard; his children Richard V. Pollard, Treena Pollard-Jackson (L. David Jackson), Martin Marmolejo (B.J. Marmolejo), Valerie Marmolejo (Juan Rodriguez), Victoria Pollard, and Adrianna Pollard; his sisters Thelma Elmore (Roosevelt Elmore deceased) and Shirley Twitty (Arthur Twitty); and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, students, co-workers, friends, and laborers in Christ.