Thomas E. Pollard '52
September 22, 1929 ~ July 15, 2023 (age 93)
Dr. Thomas (Tom) Earl Pollard passed away in Ballwin, MO, on July 15, 2023, with his loving wife of 70 years, Barbara, at his side. He was born at home in Wayne County, Illinois, on Sept. 22, 1929, to Charlie and Zella Pollard. They preceded Tom in death, as did his 5 brothers Ray, Raleigh, Harry, Lou & Chuck, his sister Pat Andrus, and his grandson Vincent Cascella.
Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara, his three children Linda (Phil) Stern of Ballwin MO, Mark (Nan) of Harrison TN, and Eve Cascella of St. Louis MO, 15 of his 16 grandchildren and their families, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
Tom grew up on a farm in southern Illinois, rode a horse to school, (a 1-room schoolhouse), and graduated from Carmi Township High School in 1948. He was a talented athlete and excelled in many sports including track, basketball, baseball and football.
Barbara and Tom met as undergrads at the University of Illinois. Tom helped put himself through college and medical school by being a sulky driver in the midwestern harness races. He and a horse named Dr. Cooper had their moment in the spotlight when they set the record in Maywood Park in 1951. Though he quit driving to finish medical school and become a doctor, Tom was passionate about harness racing for the rest of his life and owned shares in many horses over the years.
After their marriage, he and Barbara lived in Chicago where Tom completed his medical residency at Cook County Hospital.
In 1958, after serving a 3-year commitment to the US Army Medical Corps at Ford Ord, California, (where daughter Linda was born), Tom and Barbara moved to Danville, IL, at the request of medical school pal Dr. Bill Hensold. Tom would practice family medicine there for nearly 35 years, delivering hundreds of Danville residents into the world in the process.
Tom’s commitment to love and provide for his family was a driving force in his life. In addition, he was a devoted follower of Christ and a long-time active member of the Rock Church in Danville IL. He was an active and involved supporter of several charities and organizations including Project Concern, the Jaycees, and the Women’s Care Clinic.
Tom was highly competitive and loved playing tennis and racquetball. He was also an avid fisherman (especially with his grandchildren), and he kept a very respectable vegetable garden.
Dr. Pollard’s remains were laid to rest beneath a shade tree at Atherton Cemetery on Perrysville Road in Danville, IL.
All are welcome to a celebration of his life on Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in the Chapel at Meramec Bluffs Lutheran Senior Services in Ballwin, Missouri at 11:00 AM. Memorial gifts may be made to the Rock Church in Danville, IL.
The family is deeply grateful to the staff of Meramec Bluffs for the loving care Tom received during the last year of his life.