(Feb. 8, 2010, updated initial report) -- LBReport.com is saddened to report the passing of Dennis Pollman, who founded a Los Alamitos-officed insurance agency with deep LB roots, and served for years as a member of the LB Police Officers Ass'n Honorary Board, has passed away.
Mr. Pollman in 2004 photo
Update: A Viewing will be held on Thursday February 11 from 3-7pm at Dilday -Mottell Mortuary - 5161 E. Arbor Road, Long Beach 90808.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday February 12, 12pm at All Saints Episcopal Church -346 Termino Ave., Long Beach, Interment Services to directly follow at Forest Lawn -Cypress.
A Celebration of Dennis' Life will be held at River's End Restaurant immediately following the Internment Service - The Restaurant is located on the beach at 1st Street in Seal Beach.
Staff at his Los Alamitos insurance office learned of his passing on Friday (Feb. 5)...and the news came as shock after Mr. Pollman successfully fended off previous health challenges. He was 64.
"Dennis was like the Energizer Bunny. He just kept going no matter what," one staffer told LBReport.com. "He lived life to the fullest," the staffer added.
Mr. Pollman grew up in Belmont Shore in the 1950's surrounded by LB history. His family was in the travel industry, owning the first LB Venetian Square cottages, the Virginia Hotel and the Beach Motel (later expanded into the Beach & Oceanaire Motel) in Belmont Shore.
Dennis' father was Chief at the now-former LB Air Base fire department till 1958.
"My Dad was among the first on scene to fight the horrific Hancock Oil fire on Signal Hill in 1957," Dennis told us several years ago, pointing to one of his father's firefighter hats displayed with pride in his office.
And the classic Best Western Motel sign on his office wall was a reminder that his grandfather founded the Best Western Motel Association in 1946 (which became the world's largest hotel/motel association).
In 1991, the Los Angeles Times reported as newsworthy the closing of LB's Beach & Oceanaire Motel...which opened in 1938 and was the first in the Best Western Motel Assn.
"And it all started in Belmont Shore at the Beach Motel," Dennis noted.
Mr. Pollman's vintage 1923 Ford was often parked outside his office (on Katella, about a block east of the Katella Deli).
"I drove it to high school after buying it for $50," he said.
Mr. Pollman was an early believer in the internet...and one of LBReport.com's early advertisers. "You're doing good work. Keep it up," he told us.
In 2005, he was named an Outstanding Alumnus of Southern Utah University, and the University's Alumni Association wrote at the time:
[SUU alumni ass'n text] Dennis has founded at least four businesses, and been involved in several others. He and two others founded the Long Beach, California Visitors and Convention Bureau in 1980.
Dennis served as Executive Director and Board Member from 1980 to 1986...Additionally he was active in the formation of the Long Beach Grand Prix in 1975.
...He has received Best Business or Outstanding
Business Awards several times, and his involvement in
the Rotary, Elks, and Kiwanis clubs and others, has led
to him serving in leadership capacities from president
to board member. Dennis has been appointed to at
least 11 commissions concerning business issues by the
cities of Long Beach and Seal Beach.
We send our condolences to his family and many friends...and welcome remembrances of Mr. Pollman below.
Dennis' father was Chief at the now-former LB Air Base fire department till 1958.
And the classic Best Western Motel sign on his office wall was a reminder that his grandfather founded the Best Western Motel Association in 1946 (which became the world's largest 
Mr. Pollman's vintage 1923 Ford was often parked outside his office (on Katella, about a block east of the Katella Deli).
