Harlan Frank "Chub" Pollmann

Harlan Frank Pollmann, "Chub", passed away on Saturday Dec. 27, 2014 of natural causes at his home. He was born Feb.22 1932 in Harlowton, MT. His mother Marion was assisted in the birth by his father Louie, joining the ranks of his sister's Eva, Lillian, Carol and ten years later a new sister Karen.
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 '51 and was assigned to a minesweeper in Korea lasting 3 years and 11 months. During this time he served as electricians mate second class. He returned home graduating from the U of M in biology and later completed his education in Calif., where he designed and built golf courses in Las Vegas.
However, he was longing to come home to Montana. He was a rugged outdoors man, avid hunter and fisherman. He became the 1st official fishing guide on the Flathead Lake. He worked at the Polson Golf Course for 17 years, developing new skills to make it a 1st rate place to golf. Later he was offered a grounds keeper job for Les Sheridan where he became a top landscaper and is known for his knowledge how to get the job done on Finley Point.
When Les was killed in an airplane accident he went back to work for the golf course, supplementing his income taking care of cherry orchards and opened a nursery on Hwy 93.
In his later years he became a well known local author of 7 published books, encouraged by his respected friend Paul Fugleburg.
He is survived by his son Joe Pollmann and his wife Joni and grandchildren, a daughter Tiffany and family; and many dear relations and friends such as the Rogers family too numerous to mention, and I, (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 the Polson dock who he often helped catch that first "Big One".
Funeral services for Chub were private by 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.


*This obituary below is submitted by Chub's sister Karen.

Harlan Frank "Chub" Pollmann, 82, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 27, 2014, with his beloved Donna Merola at his side in his Ronan home.

Chub was born to Ludwig and Marion Pollmann on February 22, 1932, in Harlowton, MT. He had four sisters: Lillian, Eva, Carol, and Karen. An avid outdoorsman and traveler, he resided in many different communities in Montana, California, Nevada, and Washington, finally settling in Ronan, MT.

Chub graduated from Polson High School in 1951 and soon after joined the Navy. During his stint, he was stationed in Long Beach and San Diego, CA. In Long Beach, he met and married his first wife, Dorothy Smith. He spent 2 ½ years of this time on the USS Incredible as an electrician's mate. The USS Incredible was built to clear minefields in offshore waters and during Chub's time she operated out of Japan and on patrol along the coast of Korea. Chub also managed to get in some fishing and has a great story "The Incredible Shark" in his book Uncle Chub. He also admits in his book, "I always get into trouble fishing."

Chub was given an honorable discharge from the Navy on June 18, 1955. He returned to Montana and enrolled at the University of Montana. In 1958, he graduated with a BS in Biology. After graduating he held many jobs including golf course construction & maintenance, pruning orchards, guiding fishing trips, and caretaking an estate on the East Shore of Flathead Lake. He then became golf course superintendent and caretaker of the Polson Golf Course. In 1986, he started the Pollmann Turf Technology in Ronan. He retired in 1988 to devote his time to his passion – fishing. He was also an avid hunter and loved to tell a good story. Anyone who knew Chub probably has a smile on their face right now thinking of the great stories he could tell! Later in life, he authored two books regaling his adventures: an autobiography Uncle Chub and A Montanan's Short Stories.

He is survived by Donna Merola of Ronan; his sister Karen (Dan) Corcoran of North Las Vegas; his son Joey Pollmann; his daughter Tiffany Pollmann; numerous nieces and nephews; and a whole collection of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Ludwig and Marion Pollmann; his sister Lillian (Neil) Noble; his sister Eva (Jim) Funke; and his sister Carol (Gary) Thomas.

As per his wishes, his interment was held without services on Friday, January 2, 2015. However, memorial service will be held later in the spring.

Read Harlan "Chub" Pollmann's Obituary and Guestbook on www.groganfuneralhome.com.