Roy Daniel "Dan" Pollom Jr.

Roy Daniel (“Dan”) Pollom Jr., M.D., 72, of Indianapolis, passed away on Friday, March 31, 2023, peacefully at home surrounded by family.

Dan was born in Brazil, Indiana on October 23, 1950, the son of Roy D. (“Tucker”) and Barbara (“Bobbie”) Pollom. He graduated from Brazil High School in 1969 and was a 1973 graduate of Indiana University – Bloomington, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

Dan was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was 12 years old and in his own words, “…times were different. I was pulled from sports. I felt a little scared and isolated…I redirected my competitive spirit to my school work and becoming a physician.” Dan graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1977 and embarked on what would be a 42-year career focused on providing innovative care to people living with diabetes.

After medical school and completing his residency in internal medicine, Dan practiced in California before returning to Indiana in 1985. He married his wife and best friend, Robyn K. Pollom, at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church on November 25, 1989.

Dan practiced at several Indianapolis hospitals, including Winona and Methodist hospitals, before joining Community Health Network in 1999 where he served as the medical director for diabetes services for the Diabetes Care Center and Indiana Heart Hospital. During this time, he maintained his private practice, Diabetes, Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, for 14 years.

In 2012, he was recognized by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) as a “Hero for a Cure.” In 2013, Dan began the last chapter of his medical career at Eli Lilly and Company as a senior medical advisor in diabetes medical affairs until his retirement in 2021.

Dan was a dedicated volunteer for Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana where he served as medical staff for its camp for children with diabetes. In 2018, he traveled to Puerto Rico in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria as a medical volunteer for Project Hope. His most recent passion was volunteering weekly at Open Door Cafe at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church serving meals and providing fellowship for those in need.

Dan was an avid golfer and boater. He could be found on most nice weekends on a course with his son-in-laws or on his pontoon floating on the lake. In 2022, he was fortunate to take the golf trip of a lifetime to Pinehurst where he and his best buddies enjoyed endless rounds of golf, great food and most of all, so much laughter. He loved to read a good book, the Wall Street Journal, or researching the latest “hot” investment opportunity while kicked back in his chair with their pup Paisley on his lap.

One of his greatest joys was spending time with Robyn and their family at their home on Hilton Head Island. His days there were filled with playing golf, biking with his brother-in-law, and spending time poolside with his grandkids who adored him.

Dan was a beloved and devoted husband, father, grandpa, son, brother, uncle, friend, physician, and colleague. He dedicated his life to putting his family first while also selflessly and faithfully caring for and helping others. All who knew him would characterize him as kind, caring, generous, thoughtful and humble. They would tell you how funny he was, how he fancied himself a sailor, how he enjoyed a good scoop of gelato or ice cream and gifting others with chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.

If reading this aloud, Dan would stop and say, “I never dreamed it!”- because a catch phrase like this, a silly nickname or a homegrown song was always on the tip of his tongue. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of his family and friends that will never be filled. He left his mark on this world and touched the hearts of so many. His memory will live on in the lives of all those who loved him.

Dan is survived by his wife, Robyn; his five children, Erin Limbach (Jarrod), Jamie Kelly (Matt), Ryan Pollom, Jaime Doehrman (Jacob), and Lauren Willbrand (Jim); his 13 grandchildren; his brother, Dr. Stephen Pollom (Connie) and his sister, Mrs. Ann Weller (Rob). He was preceded in death by his parents, Tucker and Bobbie Pollom.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 25, 2023, with visitation 12p-2p and the service beginning at 2p, at Tabernacle Presbyterian Church, 418 East 34^th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46205.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Diabetes Youth Foundation of Indiana at https://dyfofindiana.org/donate/ (under monetary donation) or Project Hope at www.projecthope.org.