Plan for the Future
Dr. Walter J. Polestak, 90, passed away peacefully at his home in Convent Station, NJ on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, November 11, 2016 at 11am at Corpus Christi Church, 234 Southern Boulevard in Chatham Twp.
Walt was born in New York City and attended Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Navy, where he served in the Western Pacific. Following his service, he received his undergraduate degree from Manhattan College in New York City. He then attended Texas A&M University where he received a master’s degree in Physical Chemistry, and then continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania where he received his doctorate in 1959.
Walt was an Emeritus Member of the American Chemical Society, and a member of Sigma Xi, an honorary chemistry organization. Throughout his career as a physical chemist, Dr. Polestak was responsible for 9 chemical patents and others still pending.
Walt and Mac, his beloved wife, raised their family in Summit, New Jersey before moving to Convent Station 3 years ago. “Doc” as he was known to his grandchildren, was an avid reader, tennis player, and paddle tennis player, and enjoyed swimming. He was a member of the Summit Tennis Club and Noe Pond Club.
Surviving are his loving wife of 57 years, Mary Ann (Mac), three grateful and devoted children, Andrea P. Bredahl and her husband Steven of Chatham, NJ, Elizabeth P. Schmitz and her husband Alan of Madison, NJ, and Stephen W. Polestak and his wife Jami, of Arlington, VA; and 8 special grandchildren, Elizabeth, A.J., Christopher, Ryan, Mac, Austin, Walker and Carsten.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Walt may be made to the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, 575 Woodland Rd., Madison, NJ 07940. To send condolences to the family, visit www.www.bradleyfuneralhomes.com