Milton Lewis Polansky

Colonel Milton Lewis Polansky, U.S. Army Reserve (RET) long-time resident of Richmond, Texas passed away peacefully at home on July 23, 2017 at the age of 92. Col Polansky was born April 28, 1925 in Caldwell, Texas, the son of Lewis R. and Mary Orsak Polansky. During World War II, Polansky was a gifted Navigator aboard a B-24, a heavy bomber stationed in England. He proudly and bravely flew 24 combat missions over Germany and was awarded an Air Medal, 3 Oak-Leave clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to an enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who “distinguished himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. The performance of the act of heroism must be evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty. The extraordinary achievement must have resulted in an accomplishment so exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the individual apart from his comrades or from other persons in similar circumstances. Awards will be made only to recognize single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement and will not be made in recognition of sustained operational activities against an armed enemy”. Polansky was awarded this medal for his 5th mission over Germany. At the time he received this award, he was only 19 years old. This earned him the nickname “boy scout”. Following his release from active duty, Polansky remained active in the U.S. Air Force Reserve later transferring to the U.S. Army Reserve where he remained active until May 1985 when he was retired at his grade of Colonel. Milt maintained a close friendship with his co-pilot First Lieutenant Mike Karas for his entire life. Following his release from active military service, Polansky was employed as an Investigator with the U.S. Civil Service Commission (later the office of Personnel Management) initially as a Field Investigator and later in a supervisory capacity until his retirement in January 1983. Milt, known as PaPaw to all who love him, adored his grandchildren. No matter what the event or activity - reading them books, shelling pecans with them in his garage, creating priceless works of art out of wood for them, cracking his borderline inappropriate yet non-offensive amusing jokes to them, applauding their performances, sitting in the stands at baseball, basketball and football games rooting his grandsons on and watching his granddaughter dance, and so much more - PaPaw was not just “there”, he was “present” at every major (and most minor) moments of their lives, because every moment for each of his grandchildren mattered to PaPaw, and the grandkids knew it. All of his grandkids were at his bedside in the hours preceding his passing. Milt and Lil were both active participants in many organizations of the Sacred Heart community in Richmond. Additionally he and Lil were volunteers at Oak Bend Medical Center where Lil continues to volunteer today. Milt is survived by his beloved wife Lillie whom he married in February 1949; his cherished son Roger and wife Ellen; his treasured grandchildren Steven Polansky and wife Rebecca, Megan Polansky and Jake Polansky; and his much-loved nieces Susan Haas, Therese Kucera, Judy Ebert and Monica Buschmann. Milt was preceded in death by his parents Lewis and Mary, by his son Jeffrey who was lost at sea in January 1991 off the west coast of the state of Washington, and by his eldest son Marcus Polansky D.D.S. in August 2015. Rest in peace sweet PaPaw. You will be forever in our hearts and missed beyond measure. The family would like to thank caregivers Brenda Cunningham and Linda Connor with special appreciation to Candi Flora, for their loving care. Funeral services will be conducted by Msgr Jack Dinkins, a lifelong friend; assisted by Rev. Michael J. Truongluan Nguyen, C.SsR. Pallbearers are Larry Childers, Butch Grogan, Bernie Linn, Tom Petrosewicz, Young Scarborough and Ron Voyles. Honorary Pallbearers are Joe Bohacek, Roger Coughran, Lieutenant Wayne Hastedt, First Lieutenant Mike Karas, Freddy O’Pry and Tim Stewart. Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, July 29, 2017 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 507 South Fourth St, Richmond, TX 77469 at 11:00 A.M. Immediately to be followed by a military burial at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. Visitation will be held Friday evening, July 28, 2017 from 5-8 P.M. with a Wake service at 7:00 P.M. in the Chapel at Davis Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or any charity of your choosing. Tributes and words of condolence may be left for the Polansky family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., (Hwy 59 South @ FM 2218) in Rosenberg, Texas 77471, Phone: 281-341-8800.

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Milton Lewis Polansky

April 28, 1925 - July 23, 2017