Dorothy Wright has many fond memories of working with the late Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard. During a small earthquake, Wright panicked, lightly shoved Pollard aside in a scramble to evacuate, and thought, “I’m so fired.”
But the immigrant from Zimbabwe also remembers how Pollard not only made her feel welcome in the United States, he made her feel like Vancouver was home.
“I really wish I could give him one last hug and just say to him, ‘You are the one that actually embraced me and welcomed me,’ ” Wright told The Columbian.
On Friday evening, about 100 people gathered at the Firstenburg Community Center to celebrate the former mayor’s life. Fittingly, the memorial took place in a room named in honor of Pollard.
Pollard, who died at 85 on Feb. 24, served as Vancouver’s mayor from 1995 until 2010.
During his time as mayor, he guided the city through a period of remarkable growth. It went from the 11th largest city in Washington to the fourth. He embraced the idea of “America’s Vancouver,” a vision that helped shape the city into the vibrant community it is today.
“He was humble and he was a man of the people,” said Alice Renteria, a city employee who worked with Pollard. “I think he’s the best mayor we’ve ever had.”
Lasting legacy
During the memorial, speakers reflected on Royce Pollard’s life — from his military service to his political career and the moments in between that defined his time as a leader.
Pollard began his military service in 1961 and served during the Vietnam War. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1988 after his final post as commander of the Vancouver Barracks. He was also a recipient of the Purple Heart.
“He was a role model,” said Larry Smith, a former Vancouver city councilor, longtime friend of Pollard’s and co-chairman of the Community Military Appreciation Committee. Smith read the Soldier’s Creed during his remarks, calling it a reflection of the values Pollard carried with him throughout his life.
“He kept those values in him and that’s what made him what he is, and why he was such an effective leader,” Smith said. “He did so much good for this community.”
Pollard’s political career was marked by the same sense of duty, speakers said. He served on the city council before being elected as mayor. His tenure wasn’t without its memorable moments.
Those include when he joined city workers in cherry picking, took a dive — fully clothed — into the Hough Pool for a fundraiser, and smashed two Portland mugs in a local coffee shop as an audacious statement of his loyalty to Vancouver.
“A lot of people, especially some on the other side of the river, thought of Vancouver as one of Portland’s bedroom communities. Now, no one would say that today, and that’s a part of Mayor Royce’s legacy,” city lobbyist Mark Brown said.
But beyond the colorful moments, Pollard’s leadership helped shape Vancouver’s physical and economic landscape, Brown said.
Under his direction, the city enfolded the area around Vancouver Mall in the largest annexation in state history and revitalized Esther Short Park. Pollard helped bring the Hilton Vancouver Washington and the city’s convention center to fruition. Pollard also played a critical role in planning Vancouver’s waterfront.
“He put Vancouver on the map. And there was no going back,” Brown said. “While the Pollard era has come to a close, he and his accomplishments will live on forever.”
What struck many speakers and attendees Friday evening was how Pollard’s leadership transcended political lines. He was a mayor for the people, they said.
Will Pollard, his youngest son, remembered how his father often told him his job as mayor was to be Vancouver’s head cheerleader. It was a role he took seriously, always finding ways to lift up the community and encourage pride in the city.
As early evening sunlight streamed through the large windows, Will Pollard stood beside his father’s portrait and looked up to say, “Dad, I’m super proud of you.”
