Daniel Heath Pollack died on September 11, 2011, as a result of a tragic hit and run car accident. He was born in San Jose, Calif. on March 24, 1980. His life stood out in his short 31 years as a symbol of greatness. Loved and highly respected among the business community, friends, and peers, he will be remembered most for his infectious smile, love of life and gentle spirit. His passing will affect every person who had contact with him in every aspect of his life.

Daniel’s many accomplishments in life stretched far beyond that of a normal young adult. He was a determined and brilliant young man who pushed himself in life and believed every dream was obtainable if you wanted it bad enough. That being a legacy he will now pass down in the hearts of his family and friends.

Daniel graduated fromGilbert High School in 1998. He participated in the Marching Band playing drums and won the coveted John Phillips Sousa Award in 1998, some 25 years after his father won the same award at Lincoln High School in San Jose, Calif. Daniel was also a fierce competitor at Gilbert High in DECA, which is a competitive business course in business management.

Daniel began his real estate career at Marcus & Millichap, where he worked during his collegiate academic pursuits in the research department. In 2002, Daniel after many years of preparing himself honored the Pollack family once more by stepping into the family business to work beside his father, Michael, who he loved and admired so very much.

Daniel served as Vice President of Michael A. Pollack Real Estate Investments and MAP International Management Inc. in charge of leasing,management and acquisitions. Daniel’s leadership also helped to bring Pollack Investments the distinguished “Best Retail Owner/Operator” from Ranking Arizona Magazine, 2005 to 2011.

Daniel graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2002 with two bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, one in real estate and one in business management. Daniel was pursuing a Master’s Degree in Business Administration at the time of his untimely death and would have received his degree in the spring of 2012. He also attended the Real Estate Management Program: Developing Effective Leaders, at Harvard Business School in 2008.

Daniel was listed in Arizona Real Estate Magazine’s, “Top People to Know in Commercial Real Estate” for 2009, 2010 and 2011. He was a founding committee member of the International Council of Shopping Centers’ Next Generation Division. Never a follower always a leader, Daniel was instrumental in creating a community for new commercial real estate professionals to become acquainted with one another.

As a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Smart Growth Committee, Daniel was part of a diverse team of professionals charged with awarding the prestigious Smart Growth Award. Following in his family’s philanthropic footsteps Daniel gave his time and talents to work with the Maricopa JusticeCourts as a Mediator, and serving as a board member with the Jewish Community Foundation.

His love of life brought him to travel to the far ends of the world. Never missing an opportunity to see the world and experience something new. Daniel traveled with open spirit enjoying each and every adventure in his life.

Daniel, is the great-grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Sidney J.Gambord of San Jose, Calif., and the son of the late Judy Jurman Omens. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs.Michael A. Pollack of Chandler, Ariz. Grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Robert S. Pollack of Saratoga, Calif. and Mr. and Mrs. Ruben Jurman of Los Gatos, Calif.

He is also survived by his brothers: Robert and Nickolas Pollack, sister Jamie Omens, aunts Sherri and Patti Pollack and Tamara Misle and uncles Howard Misle and David Jurman. Cousins Blake Eshkar, Ashley and Tyler Diamond, Mandy Misle, Eva Misle, Sadie Misle, Jason Jurman, Jeffery Jurman.

Sinai Mortuary of Arizona is handling funeral arraignments. Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2011, at the Chandler Center for the Arts, 250 N. Arizona Ave. in Chandler, Ariz.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to the Memorial foundation set up to honor his memory and continue to give to the charities close to Daniel’s heart.

You can send donations to:
Daniel H. Pollack Memorial Foundation
c/o Pollack Real Estate Investments
1136 W. Baseline Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85210