Gilbert & Katherine Pollnow

Gilbert Pollnow (1925-2005) was a chemistry professor at UW Oshkosh until his retirement in 1988 after 27 years of teaching. He also served as department chair. Dr. Pollnow was involved with the early stages of computer science at UWO. He was chosen as one of 30 professors from across the nation to receive an intensive 10-week course at Michigan College of Mining and Technology on computer applications in the early 1960’s. His training led to the acquisition of the first high-level language computer on the UWO campus. Dr. Pollnow served as regional chair of the American Chemistry Society, an organization of which he was a member for over 50 years. He was also an environmentalist, providing analytical data that led to blocking the use of Supersonic Transport planes in the continental U.S. Dr. Pollnow received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry and education from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh in 1950 and master’s degree and Ph.D. in physical chemistry at the State University of Iowa in 1953. He joined the U.S. Navy when he was 17 and was a veteran of World War II. After retiring, he obtained his private pilot license and lived every moment to the fullest. His wife, Katherine, passed away in 1998.

Gilbert and Katherine established the Gilbert F. & Katherine L. Pollnow Scholarship in 1997. The scholarship indirectly represents a living memorial to both of their parents who were unable to receive university educations due to economic circumstances.