|
![Mr. Nicholas Polos [Teacher: History, Government]](/000/6/4/9/9946/yearbook/Mr.-Nicholas-Polos-Teacher-History-Government-1961-Claremont-High-School-Claremont-CA.jpg)
Dr. Nicholas C. Polos, Ph.D.
1917 - 2006
Dr. Nicholas "Doc" Polos, 89, former University of La Verne History professor and long time teacher at Claremont High School, died April 8, 2006. Nick was born March 10, 1917, in Boston, MA. He met Ethel Bach in New York City in the mid 1930s. The couple married, and in 1938, Richard "Dick" Polos was born to the couple. The family moved to California in 1948, after Nick's military service brought him to the West Coast, where he marveled at the sunny climate.
Nick was a Naval Gunner in both WWII and the Korean War, receiving many medals and ribbons for his service. Later in life, Nick served in the Air Force for 17 years as a Warrant Officer and Senior Instructor, teaching junior officers college credit courses. Nick studies brought him to Pomona College after WWII, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa honoree, leading to his graduating magna cum laude. He was a Woodrow Wilson fellow for Princeton University, and a Rhodes scholar appointee. Nick's education continued at Harvard University for his M.A., leading to his doctorate degree in History from University of California, Berkeley.
An accomplished author, Nick published 9 books and 82 manuscripts in the fields of history and education. His last book, entitled San Dimas: Preserving the Western Spirit (1990), won four book awards including its recognition by the California Historical Society for local history.
His wife Ethel preceded Nick in death February of 2003. Richard, their son, died in March of 2000. The Polos family was well known in civic and social circles in Claremont, actively involved in Pomona College alumni work, local politics, education issues, and they enjoyed their time with young people---mostly Nick's former students.
Nick is survived by his nephew James Polos and his wife, Susan, great-nephew Thomas Polos, great-nieces Louisa Polos (New York) and Alyssa Love (Virginia), Eileen Jerabek (New York), sister-in-law Anne Bach (New York), nephew Michael Bach and his wife, Cecelia (Maryland), niece Meg Maholski, great-nephews William and Sean Maholski (New York) , and first cousin Claire Kakasatis (Massachusetts). The Polos also included as part of their family, the John and Martha Hernandez family of Claremont. The families grew ever closer as the Hernandez' raised their four boys, all of whom were joyfully nurtured by Ethel and Nick. The sons are Robert, Douglas, Johnny and David.
A gravesite ceremony was held at 10:00 AM, Friday, April 21, 2006, at Oak Park Cemetery, Claremont; a memorial service 11:00 AM at Claremont Church of Christ; and a social at Seaver House, Pomona College, Claremont, CA.
Memorial contributions may be made in “Doc” Polos' name to the Salvation Army, the City of Hope, and the Claremont American Youth Soccer Organization.
Claremont Courier Obituary
Nicholas `Doc' Polos
Revered professor, renowned author
Nicholas "Doc" Polos was a man deemed a scholar in every way. Showing support by being both a friend and mentor, his sense of humor endured him to many people who would often wave and shout a greeting as he rode by them on his bicycle.
On April 8, 2006, the former University of La Verne professor and teacher at Claremont High School died at the age of 89.
"He was definitely a treasure," said friend John Hernandez, whose sons were nurtured by Dr. Polos and his wife. "There was a mixture of old-fashion wisdom and ways about him-but he was fascinated by technological advances."
Born March 10, 1917 in Boston, Massachusetts, Dr. Polos met his wife Ethel Bach in New York City in the mid 1930s. They married and in 1938, she gave birth to Richard "Dick" Polos. Jim Polos, Dr. Polos' nephew, said his uncle's early years in New York helped to shape his personality.
"In those neighborhoods you have to be pretty quick on your feet," Jim Polos said. "Between his intellect and street smarts, he was a pretty funny guy and always appreciated a good joke."
Ten years later, the family moved to California when Dr. Polos' military service brought him to the West Coast. His tour of duty saw him as a naval gunner in both WWII and the Korean War and the recipient of many medals and ribbons.
After WWII, Dr. Polos' insatiable thirst for knowledge brought him to Pomona College, where he was a Phi Beta Kappa honoree and graduated magna cum laude. He was also a Woodrow Wilson Fellow for Princeton University and a Rhodes Scholar appointee.
He continued his education at Harvard University, where he earned his master's. Later, he received his doctorate in history from the University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Polos blended his love for travel with his love for teaching and dedicated 17 years to the Air Force, where he served as a warrant officer and senior instructor, teaching junior officers college credit courses. This travel took him around the world many times, stamping his passport to such destinations as Egypt and Tibet. His last assignment was on the SS Teddy Roosevelt in the Person Gulf when the first war in Iraq broke out.
Always pounding away on a manual typewriter, Dr. Polos was an accomplished author, publishing 9 books and 82 manuscripts in the fields of history and education. His last book, San Dimas: Preserving the Western Spirit, won 4 book awards, including recognition by the California Historical Society for local history.
When not regaling his unchanging repertoire of jokes, or helping with local church functions, Dr. Polos was an accomplished rug weaver. But, he is most remembered for ongoing relationships with others.
Susan Tear, an alumna of Claremont High School, said Dr. Polos "is a tribute to the profound influence" on his students which continued "through all the years since our graduation."
"He had attended our class reunions whenever possible and always showed a deep interest in each student's progress," she said. "This gentle man has profoundly influenced so many people."
Dr. Polos' wife preceded him in death February of 2003 and their son, Richard, died in March of 2000.
Dr. Polos is survived by his nephew, James Polos and his wife, Susan; his great-nephew, Thomas Polos; his great-nieces, Louisa Polos of New York, Alyssa Love of Virginia, and Eilen Jerabek of New York; his sister-in-law, Anne Bach of New York; his nephew, Michael Bach and his wife, Cecelia of Maryland; his niece, Meg Maholski; his great-nephews, William and Sean Maholski of New York; and his first cousin, Claire Kakasitis of Massachusetts.
A gravesite ceremony took place Friday, April 21, 2006 at Oak Park Cemetery in Claremont, with a memorial service held at Claremont Church of Christ.
 |
