Peter L. Pollack, 68, who collected thousands of rare history books and owned his own custom tile business, died Sunday, Feb. 11, in an Indiana hospital after a heart attack. Mr. Pollack grew up in Chicago and served in the Army during the Korean War. When he returned from the service, he married his high school sweetheart, Judith Marie Pollack. He and his late wife were married 37 years. Mr. Pollack worked for the Chicago Housing Authority before opening his own business, Custom Tile in Oak Lawn. Mr. Pollack enjoyed reading and collecting rare history books on topics ranging from ancient Egypt to the Civil War. His prized possession was the three-volume set “The History of Chicago” by Alfred T. Andreas, published in 1884. He found the volumes in a bookstore after befriending the storeowner. “I remember almost every night at about 9 p.m. or so he would sit down in his favorite chair in the basement and start reading his books,” said his son, Peter L. Pollack Jr. “He always had a stack of books that he wanted to read next. He liked to learn things on his own.” Mr. Pollack also was known for having a story to accompany any circumstance. He was a member of the Oak Lawn Masonic Lodge, the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago and the Medinah Temple Hospitality Committee. Mr. Pollack retired in 1998 and moved to his island home in Koontz Lake, Ind. Other survivors include his daughter, Kimberly Louise. Visitation will be from 2 to 9 p.m. Thursday in Edgar Funeral Home, 10900 S. Cicero Ave., Oak Lawn. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in the funeral home.
