Robert (Frank) Pollock passed peacefully from this life on May 17, 2022.  He will be remembered as an educator, coach, expert outdoorsman, and friend.  Born in Bennett, Wisconsin, in 1931, he shared his life with his wife of 64 years, Marlene, and four children, Bob Pollock (Patti), Dede Paquette (Troy), Pat Pollock (Nancy), and Sharon Naumann (Leo).  His family grew with the generation of grandchildren: Aidan Paquette, Michael Naumann (Kristen), Rachel Pollock, Lindsey Paquette, Alicia Pollock, and Devin Naumann.

He spent his early life as an adventurer.  Star pitcher of his hometown baseball team, he was known in Bennett for his wicked fastball.  Later, he flew off to Alaska in the belly of an old cargo plane to work railroad construction, collecting stories of the wild frontier.  He volunteered for military service and spent his enlistment overseas during the Korean War.   Always the optimist, his stories of this time focused on the antics of his solider buddies, the quality of the rations, and the long flight home on the military transport plane.

Returning from the Korean war, he worked his way through college to an education degree and married the love of his life, Marlene Wermter.  He started his career in the tiny Three Lakes school district, where he served as science and physical education teacher and three-season coach.   From there, he continued his education, earning advanced degrees in educational counseling and administration.

Known as Bob to the SSHS staff, he started his career with the Superior School District in 1963 and served as teacher, coach, counselor, and assistant principal.  He built a strong cohort of faithful comrades from the SSHS staff, a group referred to as the "Voyageurs." This group took BWCA trips at the close of many school years, which he summarized fondly in a journal.  Bob retired after 28 years in 1991 and maintained his friendships with his SSHS cadre, attending monthly meetings with a group referred to as "The Breakfast Club."

Over his long and varied career, Bob lent his sense of humor and quiet compassion to all students who needed it: the college-bound and the troublemakers, those who spoke up for themselves and those who couldn't.  In 2003, his significant contribution to SSHS was recognized by his induction into the Superior Education Hall of Fame.

Bob's children will remember him as an outdoorsman for every season.  He taught by example how to be delighted by nature: how to bait a hook to make it irresistible to pan fish; how to follow a game trail covered with fall leaves; how to sit patiently in the winter sun, waiting for a tip-up to spring.  He showed them how to reach other people by communicating with humor and kindness.  When he talked to friends and former students, he put them first in the conversation, asking how they were doing and then really listening to the answer.

Bob's grandchildren will remember a grandfather who always had time for board games or coloring books, developer of the game "Grandpa Goes Broke," and builder of excellent treehouses.  He taught them how to catch a fly ball and how to shoot a .22.  Warm afternoons at Grandpa's house meant a trip to Lyman Lake in the back of his red Tacoma or a ride to the creek on his 4-wheeler.  At a time when there were plenty of adults telling them what to do, Grandpa listened to what they had to say, let them know it was OK to mess up, and showed them that maybe not every rule had to be followed all the time.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2022, and will resume at noon until the 1:00 p.m. service Tuesday, June 14 ^th at Downs Funeral Home, 1617 N. 19 ^th Street, Superior.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery, Superior, with military honors accorded by the Richard I. Bong American Legion Post 435.