Nicholas C. Polos

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 ye ars 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 is scheduled for 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 to be held at Seaver House, Pomona College, Claremont, CA. Memorial contributions may be made in Nick Polos' name to the Salvation Army, the City of Hope, and the Claremont American Youth Soccer Organization. Todd Memorial Chapel, Pomona, is in charge of arrangements.