Ralph Lee Pollard, 79, of Lincoln, Nebraska, died December 23, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer, at his home in Lincoln with his wife Joyce and their dog Daisy Mae by his side.

Lee was born October 31, 1946, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois, the only child of Ralph Olson Pollard and Nina Mae Goodsen Pollard. Growing up, Lee loved playing baseball and basketball. He was invited to try out for the St. Louis Cardinals upon graduating from high school. But, as fate would have it, tryouts were cancelled because of a massive thunderstorm and never rescheduled. Regardless, his passion for many sports never diminished, and he was a sports fan his entire life.

On June 14, 1967, Lee was drafted into the U.S. Army and entered active duty, serving until June 13, 1969. He was wounded fighting on the frontlines in the Vietnam War and received various medals of honor, including a Purple Heart and Bronze Star of Valor, for his heroism. If asked how he received those honors, Lee would say, “playing John Wayne.” Lee took great pride in receiving the same honors his father received for service during World War II.

Following his military service, Lee earned an associate’s degree in accounting from Wabash Community College in Southern Illinois. He moved to Lincoln in 1988, where he attended the University of Nebraska for three years, majoring in accounting. He retired as Office Manager of the Super Saver at 27th and Pine Lake Road after 15 years of service.

Lee was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying fishing, hunting, and trapping. His favorite way to relax was driving through the countryside and visiting state parks. Lee loved dogs and claimed to have owned 30 of them, from house pets to hunting dogs, most of which he could still name. He trained coonhounds, and three of his hounds earned top honors as “Night Champions” in multiple states.

Lee also loved gardening, which he learned at an early age from his father. He grew more than 20 tomato varieties in his Lincoln home garden and loved sharing his produce with neighbors and friends.

Lee is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Pardee; son, Jeffrey Pollard of Phoenix, Arizona; granddaughter, Nikki Kimpel of Omaha, Nebraska; grandson, Noah Kimpel of Riverton, Iowa; sister-in-law, Linda Hass of Bouton, Iowa; nephews, Matt and Andy Bredesen of Des Moines, Iowa; and niece, Kate Sandy and family of East Stroudsberg, Pennsylvania. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Karen Kimpel, and his parents.

A Memorial Service will be held on June 13, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at 11011 South 56th Street, Lincoln, NE. The service will include military rites. Off street parking will be available at 5500 Braemar Drive and 10901 South 56th or on the shoulder of South 56th Street with a short walk to 11011 South 56th where the service will be held. Seating will be available. Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the memorial service. Pastor Jason Padilla presiding.

He also requested that memorials be made payable to Joyce Pardee, for future designation to hunting and fishing programs for underprivileged youth and to his favorite public gardens. Mail to Joyce Pardee: 2630 Heide Ln. Lincoln, NE 68512.

It is the family’s desire that the awesome beauty of nature serve as a reminder of a life well lived by a man forever loved.

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