Harlan Frank Pollmann
courtesy photo
Harlan Pollman
RONAN - Harlan Frank Pollmann, “Chub,” passed away at his home on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, of natural causes. He was born Feb. 22, 1932, in Harlowton, Montana. His mother Marian was assisted in the birth by his father Louie. He joined his sisters Eva, Lillian, Carol and ten years later a new sister Karin, whom he called his sidekick “little Bro.”
He attended Polson High School where he made quite a reputation as a tough quarterback who the guys had to reckon with. He joined the Navy in 1951 and was assigned to a minesweeper in Korea that lasted three years and 11 months. During this time he served as electrician’s mate second class. He returned home graduating from the U of M in biology and later completed his education in California where he designed and built golf courses in Las Vegas.
However, he was longing to come home to Montana. He was a rugged outdoorsman, and an avid hunter and fisherman. He became the first official fishing guide on the Flathead Lake. Chub worked at the Polson Golf Course for 17 years, developing new skills to make it a first rate place to golf. Later he was offered a grounds keeper job working for Les Sheridan. There he became a top landscaper on Finley Point and was known for his knowledge of how to get the job done.
When Les was killed in an airplane accident, Chub went back to work for the golf course, supplementing his income taking care of cherry orchards and also opening a nursery on Hwy 93.
Encouraged by his respected friend Paul Fugleburg, in his later years, Chub became a well-known local author of seven published books.
He is survived by his son Joe Pollmann and his wife Joni; grandchildren; a daughter Tiffany and family; and many dear relations and friends, like the Rogers family, that are too numerous to mention; and Donna his friend and companion.
Chub had a deep love of nature and its natural beauty. He will be missed for his sense of humor, friendship and many young and older people who fish at the Polson dock and who he often helped catch that first “Big One.”
Funeral services for Chub were private with the family. There will be a notice of celebration of his life after the snow melts. It will be held outdoors and in respect to a man who truly lived life to the fullest.
Arrangements are under the direction of The Lake Funeral Home and Crematory (formerly Grogan Funeral Home and Crematory). Memorials and condolences may be sent to the family at: www.thelakefuneralhomeand crematory.com.
