Robert “Bob” Carlton Pollard Jr., aged 68, of Hampton Cove, Alabama, went to be with The Lord on Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Bob was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, to Robert and Claudette Pollard on October 1, 1949. He is a proud 1972 Distinguished Military Graduate of Florida State University, where he commanded the Pershing Rifles. He married the love of his life, Pamela Soud, in Jacksonville, FL, on June 24, 1973.
Immediately after graduation, Bob was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the United State Army on June 7, 1972, and over the course of a distinguished 28 year career, he rose to the rank of Colonel. His Army career took him around the world to Germany, Kuwait, and Korea, as well as stateside posts at Fort Jackson, Fort Benning, Fort Knox, Fort Polk, Kelly Air Force Base, and the Pentagon. He held a number of leadership positions, ranging from cavalry platoon leader, 2nd ACR, to Cavalry Squadron Commander, 5-15th Cavalry, Commander of forward deployed forces of the US Central Command in Kuwait, and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command. In recognition of his exemplary service, he received numerous awards and decorations, to include, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and the Order of St. George. Bob is a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College, the Army War College, and the MPA Program at Shippensburg University.
After retiring from the U.S. Army, Bob was a successful senior executive in a series of technology firms in Huntsville, culminating in his role as Vice President of Huntsville Operations, L3 Communications. He continued a life of service through his active role in the College Park Church of God and on the Executive Board of the Air, Space and Missile Defense Association. He also served by coordinating Honor Flights to Washington, DC for WW2 Veterans.
For Bob, his greatest achievement was his three children, nine grandchildren, and his personal relationship with The Lord.
Bob is survived by his wife, Pamela Pollard, his children, Robert C. Pollard III, Jennifer Galloway, and Richard Pollard, his sister, Harriet Frazier, and his grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at College Park Church of God, with the funeral service immediately following. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider donations to the American Lung Association or St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the name of Robert C. Pollard Jr.
