Memorial
Roy Lee Pollock, 94 of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away March 20, 2025 at the HallMar Village Care Center in Cedar Rapids, surrounded by his family.
Roy is survived by his four children, Steve (Kristine) Pollock, David (Tammy) Pollock, Kathy (Erich) Nielsen and Sandy (Christopher) Phelps. Grandchildren, Rachel Blake, Trevor Nielsen, Andrew Phelps and Chase Phelps. Brother Gene (Maxine) Pollock, sisters Marilyn Oliver and Beverly Ohm. He was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 68 years, Carilyn Pollock. And brothers Melvin Pollock and Lowell Pollock.
Roy was a man who enjoyed life, setting his goals and facing the challenges he set to accomplish and succeed. His first and foremost importance was supporting and taking care of his family. Roy grew up on the family farm near Mt. Auburn and attended a one-room elementary school, swam in the Cedar River with his brothers, which gave him his humbling roots that he instilled in his children.
After graduating from Vinton high school, he enlisted in the Navy and was sent to “Class P Airman School and then on to “Class A “Aviation Electronics Technical School.” While stationed in Norfolk Virginia, he utilized his free time and trained with a WWII P-38 pilot and in 30 days earned his private pilot license. He served on an anti-submarine squadron, VS-22 until he received an Honorable Discharge.
Roy married his high school sweetheart, Carilyn on January 23, 1955, at the Vinton Presbyterian Church in Vinton, Iowa. He began attending classes at the University of Iowa. When Carilyn was expecting their first child, he accepted a part-time job in the Physics Department which Dr. James Van Allen was the department’s lead. They worked on electronics research equipment to explore radiation in outer space. The equipment was placed on the satellite Explorer which discovered a radiation belt that circled the earth. This belt was named, “Van Allen Radiation Belt.” After graduating as class vice president with a Bachler of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering, he accepted a position with Collins Radio. He began analyzing the design of Gemini space communications and then was offered to move to Aviation Product Management followed by a few years in Marketing Management for the Corporate Aviation and Regional Carrier business segment. He was credited by the President of Collins Radio as being the architect of a product line called, “Pro Line.” (Upon his retirement the President of Collins presented him with a plaque in recognition for his Leadership in creating Pro Line Avionics – The Worldwide Standard). His profession with Collins Radio required extensive business travel which enabled him to travel around the world numerous times.
Family time is essential. Roy purchased a one room cabin along the banks of the Mississippi River near Lansing Iowa. Growing up, it became their family getaway and through time they built additions to the cabin, (including indoor plumbing) and spent many years fishing and exploring the river with their Jon boat and fun water recreation with the Banshee boat. They created many fond family memories together there. Roy’s love of flying let him take flight in his Beechcraft Bonanza. It also provided fun family vacations across the states and to the Bahama’s. (His love of flying is shared by his sons Steve and David and grandson, Trevor who have obtained their private pilot licenses).
During his tenure at University of Iowa and with Collins Radio/Rockwell he had the privilege of meeting Dr. James Van Allen, Neil Armstrong, President Bill Clinton as a governor, Roy Carver, Danny Kay and Philippe Cousteau a son of Jacques Cousteau. Roy retired after 30 years of service with Collins/Rockwell International.
With the kids grown Roy and Carilyn spent time at their vacation home Casa Bell Vista at Ranch Santana on the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Family and extended family often joined them to enjoy the relaxed tranquil beauty. They also enjoyed their retirement traveling together throughout the U.S., including worldwide travel to the Berlin Wall, Hawaii, Switzerland, Italy, Paris and Australia. They enjoyed their life together, whether at the family dinner table or dining as guests at the captain’s table on an Ocean liner at sea. They were exemplary of true love and a happy marriage. Roy lived his life by example to his family, friends and colleagues. He was, and always will remain, an inspiration to us all.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a monetary donation to HACAP Food Reservoir.
A visitation will be held from 9:30-11:00AM, Saturday, April 12, 2025, at the Cedar Memorial State Room. A funeral service with military rites will follow starting at 11:00AM at the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Entombment will be held in the Cedar Memorial Park Mausoleum. A livestream of the funeral service may be accessed on the funeral home website under the obituary for Roy, under the video tab starting at 11:00 AM, April 12, 2025.