The walking horse community lost a devoted friend and longtime supporter with the passing of Robert Pollack on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2013, at his home in Saratoga, Calif. He was 90.
Mr. Pollack was born in San Francisco, Calif. At the age of five, he began riding horses at St. Francis Riding Academy. At the age of 13, his family moved to San Jose, Calif., where his love of horses and riding continued through his teenage years. He attended San Jose State University, served in the United States Air Force, and met and married the love of his life Wanda. They had three children: Michael, Patti and Sherri.
Mr. Pollack was a successful contractor and developer specializing in commercial real estate in California and Arizona.
Mr. Pollack became involved with the Tennessee Walking Horse in 1968 when his daughters were taking saddle seat riding lessons in Los Gatos, Calif. He rode a walking horse and was very impressed with the smooth gait and easy disposition. He immediately bought the girls two mares that were full sisters. Since that time, Pollack’s Silver Spur Ranch has registered over 300 Tennessee Walking Horses and earned countless world championships and world grand championships. Their first world grand champion was Final’s Eb Tide. Other popular World Grand Champions owned by the Pollack family include Expressive Gold, Pusher’s Benny Boy, He’s Extraordinary, The Concealed Weapon, Pushin For Pleasure, Arm’s Deal For Real and I’m P. Diddy.
Daughter Patti said, “Each year at Celebration time, Dad loved to go to the colt barns and watch the prospective young talents. He would buy several colts during the Celebration. Even in recent years when he was unable to attend the Celebration, he would watch the live broadcasts and pick from the yearling classes. He was pretty good at picking them, too! As coming two-year-olds, he picked Pusharama, Arm’s Deal For Real, Chili Pepper, Adrenaline, He’s Extraordinary and I’m P. Diddy, to name a few.”
The Pollack daughters passed their love of the Tennessee Walking Horse to their children, Ashley, Tyler and Blake, and the horses became an enjoyment for the entire family.
Aside from enjoying the horses, Mr. Pollack loved to collect all types of memorabilia from the past. He collected antique slot machines, old cars, restored wagons and buggies from the Old West. Since childhood, he loved to “go antiquing” and that was a passion he shared with his wife.
The most important aspect of Robert Pollack’s life was his family. That was evident in everything he did and his presence in their lives will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Robert S. Pollack to Stanford University Funds to be allovated to Stanford Medicine Residency Program, 300 Pasteur Dr., Lane 154, Stanford, CA 94305.