Charles Arthur Pollard passed away at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 24, 2026, at the age of 91. Charles was born May 13, 1935, in Washington, D.C., to John Wesley Pollard and Cornelia C. Dorrier Pollard. Charles is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth Virginia Freas Pollard, and their children, Pamela Sue Pollard Rose and Charles “Chip” Arthur Pollard, Jr. He is also survived by nephews Henry “Hank” Thomas Morris IV and John Andrew Morris (Elise Armacost), and great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are an aunt, Virginia Dorrier, and cousins on both the Pollard and Dorrier sides of his family. Charles and Ruth have also been blessed by extended family, The Rev. Dr. Mary Havens and her children – Emilia, Matthew, Isaac and Hannah.
Charles grew up in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953, and from D.C. Teachers College in 1957 with a degree in English. During most of those years, Charles continued his newspaper delivery job in the apartment complex where he and his sister lived with their parents. One day when he was busy delivering The Washington Post, he noticed a robbery taking place in one of the apartments. His quick thinking allowed the police to apprehend the robber, and Charles was rewarded with a news article, including his picture, about his actions.
The church became very important to Charles in his teen-age years. At the age of 16, he was baptized into the faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. The Luther League was a large part of his life, and leadership opportunities prepared him for the prospect of becoming a pastor. This was also where he met Ruth, and it was the start of a lifetime of service together in the church. When the call to active ministry was heard, he attended the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1961. He was ordained at the seminary as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on May 31, 1961.
Other educational opportunities related to his years of ministry were an internship at the Lutheran Inner Mission Society in Washington, D.C. (1960) and earning a Master of Arts degree in Counseling at Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska (1976).
Charles, with Ruth by his side, served congregations in Maryland and Nebraska. His first, and very memorable, call was to the Creagerstown (St. John’s)-Utica (St. Paul’s) Parish, Thurmont, MD (1961-1969). That was followed by the call to Bethphage Mission – Zion Chapel (ministry with people with special challenges), Axtell, NE (1969-1981); and St. John’s Lutheran (Kronborg), Marquette, NE (1981-1994). In his retirement, Charles served as interim and visitation pastor in a number of churches, all in Nebraska: Messiah Lutheran, Grand Island (1994-1996); Reformation Parish, Madison (1994-1998); Grace Lutheran, Central City and Fridhem Lutheran, Hordeville (1998-2001); Messiah Lutheran, Aurora (2001-2002); and St. Mark’s Lutheran, St. Paul (2003-2005). During his years of ministry, he was guided by the belief that he was a pastoral shepherd, reaching out to members of the church and also reaching into the community with the message of the church. Throughout his years of service, he was blessed by
his many experiences with God’s people, and felt God’s ever-loving presence and grace that filled his heart with thankfulness.
Charles had many hobbies and special interests. He was an avid reader of many genres, but at the top of the subject list was anything to do with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. He was a big fan of the television show, “The Big Bang Theory,” and enjoyed watching the never- ending reruns. He grudgingly enjoyed trips planned by Ruth, but was happier if he could paddle the canoe in a Nebraska sandpit or river. Working outdoors and making home improvements was a hobby, not a chore, as was working on his computer or iPad. He will be remembered by many for being able to identify any music to which he was listening (especially Classical or Jazz), even though he could not carry a tune.
Charles was predeceased by his parents, sister Gloria Amy Pollard Morris, brother-in-law Henry “Tommy” Thomas Morris III and son-in-law Michael Thomas Rose.
Sincere thanks goes out to Lutheran Hospice and the Lutheran BeWell Home Services for the attentive care that was given to Charles and the family. It was truly a blessing. The pastoral care given by Pastors Eric Fink and Laura Swanson of Living Springs Lutheran Church, and the outstanding medical care Charles received for many years from Dr. R. Erik Hartvigsen, were also blessings for which the family is very grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Ministry Project Fund or the Family Assistance Fund of Living Springs Lutheran Church, 4224 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC, 29223.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 2 P.M., at Living Springs Lutheran Church. Visitation with family will precede the service at 1:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall.
Charles Arthur Pollard passed away at his home in Columbia, South Carolina, on October 24, 2026, at the age of 91. Charles was born May 13, 1935, in Washington, D.C., to John Wesley Pollard and Cornelia C. Dorrier Pollard. Charles is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth Virginia Freas Pollard, and their children, Pamela Sue Pollard Rose and Charles “Chip” Arthur Pollard, Jr. He is also survived by nephews Henry “Hank” Thomas Morris IV and John Andrew Morris (Elise Armacost), and great nieces and nephews. Also surviving are an aunt, Virginia Dorrier, and cousins on both the Pollard and Dorrier sides of his family. Charles and Ruth have also been blessed by extended family, The Rev. Dr. Mary Havens and her children – Emilia, Matthew, Isaac and Hannah.
Charles grew up in Washington, D.C., where he graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1953, and from D.C. Teachers College in 1957 with a degree in English. During most of those years, Charles continued his newspaper delivery job in the apartment complex where he and his sister lived with their parents. One day when he was busy delivering The Washington Post, he noticed a robbery taking place in one of the apartments. His quick thinking allowed the police to apprehend the robber, and Charles was rewarded with a news article, including his picture, about his actions.
The church became very important to Charles in his teen-age years. At the age of 16, he was baptized into the faith at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Washington, D.C. The Luther League was a large part of his life, and leadership opportunities prepared him for the prospect of becoming a pastor. This was also where he met Ruth, and it was the start of a lifetime of service together in the church. When the call to active ministry was heard, he attended the Lutheran Seminary at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, graduating with a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1961. He was ordained at the seminary as a Minister of Word and Sacrament on May 31, 1961.
Other educational opportunities related to his years of ministry were an internship at the Lutheran Inner Mission Society in Washington, D.C. (1960) and earning a Master of Arts degree in Counseling at Kearney State College, Kearney, Nebraska (1976).
Charles, with Ruth by his side, served congregations in Maryland and Nebraska. His first, and very memorable, call was to the Creagerstown (St. John’s)-Utica (St. Paul’s) Parish, Thurmont, MD (1961-1969). That was followed by the call to Bethphage Mission – Zion Chapel (ministry with people with special challenges), Axtell, NE (1969-1981); and St. John’s Lutheran (Kronborg), Marquette, NE (1981-1994). In his retirement, Charles served as interim and visitation pastor in a number of churches, all in Nebraska: Messiah Lutheran, Grand Island (1994-1996); Reformation Parish, Madison (1994-1998); Grace Lutheran, Central City and Fridhem Lutheran, Hordeville (1998-2001); Messiah Lutheran, Aurora (2001-2002); and St. Mark’s Lutheran, St. Paul (2003-2005). During his years of ministry, he was guided by the belief that he was a pastoral shepherd, reaching out to members of the church and also reaching into the community with the message of the church. Throughout his years of service, he was blessed by
his many experiences with God’s people, and felt God’s ever-loving presence and grace that filled his heart with thankfulness.
Charles had many hobbies and special interests. He was an avid reader of many genres, but at the top of the subject list was anything to do with Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the Peanuts gang. He was a big fan of the television show, “The Big Bang Theory,” and enjoyed watching the never- ending reruns. He grudgingly enjoyed trips planned by Ruth, but was happier if he could paddle the canoe in a Nebraska sandpit or river. Working outdoors and making home improvements was a hobby, not a chore, as was working on his computer or iPad. He will be remembered by many for being able to identify any music to which he was listening (especially Classical or Jazz), even though he could not carry a tune.
Charles was predeceased by his parents, sister Gloria Amy Pollard Morris, brother-in-law Henry “Tommy” Thomas Morris III and son-in-law Michael Thomas Rose.
Sincere thanks goes out to Lutheran Hospice and the Lutheran BeWell Home Services for the attentive care that was given to Charles and the family. It was truly a blessing. The pastoral care given by Pastors Eric Fink and Laura Swanson of Living Springs Lutheran Church, and the outstanding medical care Charles received for many years from Dr. R. Erik Hartvigsen, were also blessings for which the family is very grateful.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Ministry Project Fund or the Family Assistance Fund of Living Springs Lutheran Church, 4224 Hard Scrabble Road, Columbia, SC, 29223.
A Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 2 P.M., at Living Springs Lutheran Church. Visitation with family will precede the service at 1:00 P.M. in the Fellowship Hall.
