Dean August Pollack

Dean August Pollack, age 66, died June 21, 2018 at home in Seattle encircled by loved ones.  He was born on March 18, 1952, in Chicago, the eldest son of August and Edna (Baum) Pollack, and grew up in the Village of Lyons, IL.  He met Lizabeth (Betsy) Wilson while students at the University of Illinois and they were married on September 1, 1983.  They built a rich and fulfilling life together in Champaign-Urbana and, since 1992, in Seattle.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his beloved Betsy; brother Brian Pollack (Patricia); nephews, Justin (Megan), Michael, Jonathan (Amber) and Matthew; grand-nephews, Collin and August; sister-in-law Sally Wilson Erny; brother-in-law Chris Wilson (Virginia Scharff); in-law nieces and nephews Sam and Joanna Erny, Luc Wilson, and Zach and Kelsey McCallister; and many longtime friends and extended family.

Dean studied physics (with a generous splash of the arts) at Illinois and was a manufacturing engineer for many years at Hansvedt Industries. Grounded in his love of mathematics, he acquired a remarkable facility with financial investments which he shared with others.  Dean was a lifelong Chicago Cubs, Blackhawks, and Illini fan.  His earliest baseball memory was taking the “L” with his mother and brother to Ladies Day games at Wrigley Field.  He was an avid and knowledgeable enthusiast of opera, ballet, theater, good books, and great wines, all of which he considered to be essential to a life worth living.  He was proud of his Bohemian ancestry and spent a week of his final year in Prague savoring four operas, a hockey game, and his share of pivo.

Dean knew what it took to be a good friend and he had many across multiple generations.  During his illness, he was emboldened by a circle of devoted friends, family, and care providers.  Betsy would like particularly to acknowledge Sally Erny, Mary Beth Putnam, Cody Sanantonio, and Dr. Paul R. Sutton.  She is especially indebted to Brian and Pat Pollack and Dean’s “niece” Dr. Dawn Belt Davis for their extraordinary strength, generosity, and kindness in the final days.

A memorial service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 3117 S. Oak Park Avenue, Berwyn, IL on Monday, July 9 at 11 a.m.   It will be preceded by visitation beginning at 9 a.m. and followed by interment at Woodlawn Cemetery, Forest Park, IL.  A gathering of remembrance will be held in Seattle at a later date. Donations may be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN.org) or to the organization of choice.

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