Walter William Pollman Jr
December 18, 1932 - November 14, 2017
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Walter William Pollman Jr
December 18, 1932 - November 14, 2017
Obituary
Walt Pollman Jr. passed away early Tuesday, November 14, 2017 in Bellingham at the age of 84. Walt Jr. was born December 18, 1932 to Walter Pollman Sr. and Lucille Pollman in Spring Creek, Missouri. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Donna; daughter, Lisa Pollman (Tom McCarthy); sister, Jean Van Etten; sister-in-law, Joyce Bigelow (Jerry Jarvis); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
His family moved to Whatcom County when Walt was 12 years old. Soon after arriving, they purchased land for a strawberry farm. This early experience contributed to his strong, lifelong work ethic. In school, Walt excelled in sports as well as academics. He enjoyed playing football as quarterback, in addition to baseball and basketball. Walt graduated from Meridian High School in 1951 and married his sweetheart, Donna Woods Bland. The couple then moved to Seattle, where Walt attended the University of Washington and graduated with honors from the School of Pharmacy in 1954. It was during that time that he became an avid Husky fan!
After graduation, Walt and Donna returned to Whatcom County to pursue a dream of owning their own retail pharmacy. On September 9, 1959, the couple took ownership of Ferndale Drug, after submitting the winning bid in a sealed bid auction. Upon starting out, the store had three employees (including the couple) and was located on Main Street. In 1981, the business expanded and moved to 4th and Vista. Walt and Donna’s business partnership was a recipe for success. Walt regularly met with a small group of independent pharmacy owners in Seattle to keep ahead of the latest trends in the industry and was known for his professionalism and his particular dedication to his customers. The Ferndale Drug “gang” became part of the family, taking pride in providing quality service to the community. Walt retired in 1999, after 40 years in the business.
Walt kept active most of his life. Early on, the couple would hike together in the Cascades. Later on, they played badminton and tennis. In retirement, Walt enjoyed driving his tractor, working in the garden, and fishing in the lake.
A humble man with a strong moral compass, Walt was most proud of his business, family, and home. Walt enjoyed pursuing his spiritual needs also. He attended Zion Lutheran Church, where he was an active member of the congregation and contributed as Treasurer and Usher.
A private burial will take place at Greenacres Memorial Park with plans for a Celebration of Walt’s Life to take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Whatcom Hospice House.
4 responses to Walter William Pollman Jr
Barb Demorest says:
November 14, 2017
Donna and Lisa,So sorry to hear of Walt’s passing. He was such a quality man. He has left a legacy in the town of Ferndale. I will always be grateful for his example of a professional man of integrity. I am honored to have known him. I will always appreciate both Donna and Walt entrusting their taxes and accounting to that young accountant so many years ago and the continuing relationship for over 30 years!
Laura Thiessen says:
November 14, 2017
Dear Donna and Lisa,
So sorry to hear of Walt’s passing. He was such a great man and a wonderful boss. He made Ferndale Drug my home for 9 years. I truly miss those days. It was a pleasure to know and work for him. May God bless you during this time.
Love,
Laura
Ron Medcalf says:
November 14, 2017
I first knew of Walt as the son in-law to Warren Bland. Warren and I had many things in common and many things not in common. Warren was a man of the back-country woods while I was college educated city boy with a degree in pharmacy. Warren was to me the grandfather I had never known and he treated me as such. I learned much from the time spent with the “Old Goat” (loving expression a few of us used when referring to Warren). One day my employment at our local hospital ended and Warren thought I should talk to his son in-law, Walt, about working at his pharmacy. So I did and Walt became my favorite employer of all times.
I worked as a retail pharmacist alongside Walt for years. Up to the time Walt sold his pharmacy and retired. Many hours, days and years I observed Walt and the way he interacted with people and in general the world. It didn’t’t take long before he became more than an employer. I admired the way he handled himself in all kinds of situations. Like his father in-law, Walt had become the role model I needed to evolve into a mature pharmacist. Walt, in regards tour profession, was my mentor.
I had always thought Walt had been from Texas (I think I got that from Warren?) but I just found out it was Missouri that he called home. Makes no difference I respect people from both states as being hard working people with a good work ethics. This is what I found with Walt. He was a hard worker. No one worked harder than Walt when it came to his pharmacy. He was a great example for me being a pharmacist too. Try as hard as I could, I couldn’t’t keep up with the pace Walt set. I think he knew this about himself and rather than scolding an employee he allowed them each to work up to their own abilities and skill level. We all worked hard and not because of fear but because we wanted to please Walt. I have the highest regards for the manner in which Walt managed his store and its employees.
Walt was a man of few words. He didn’t’t need to talk something to death to get his ideas across, he would intelligently think before talking then he would just “tell is as it is”. It would be in a manner that was factual & without judgment and most importantly truthful.
Walt was a man of his word. A more truthful and honest a person I have never seen. Walt didn’t’t take pride in embellishing a story, the facts either spoke for themselves or they didn’t’t. Warren loved these characteristics of Walt and was very proud of his son in-law.
In conclusion I want to quote grandmother, because it fit my description of Walt to a T. Grandma would say of quiet people, much like the way Walt was, That “Still Waters Run Deep!”. I believe she was right.
Highest Regards to;
Donna, Lisa, Joyce and family
Ron Medcalf RPh
Daran Norris says:
November 14, 2017
Dear Donna & Lisa,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Walt was such an example for me, I have so many great memories of those days at Ferndale Drug with you all. Thank you for your kindness and support. I am very grateful for Walt, and for you, always.
Be good to yourselves,
Much love,
Daran