83R15415 BPG-D
By: Geren H.R. No. 1154
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the
passing of Ruth Walker Polan of Nixon on January 13, 2013, at the
age of 84; and
WHEREAS, The daughter of Tom and Hertha Walker, the former
Ruthie Walker was born in Nixon on April 8, 1928; she grew up during
the Great Depression and demonstrated her resourcefulness at an
early age, earning money by cleaning a local church; as a teenager,
she found a job at the drugstore soda fountain, where a customer
named Glenn Polan developed the habit of stopping by on a daily
basis for a scoop of ice cream and a chat; they later married and
became the proud parents of two sons, Glenn and Ted; and
WHEREAS, Mrs. Polan was employed as a clothes buyer for
Joske's department store and as a civil servant in San Antonio
before embarking on a distinguished career in education; she held
both a bachelor's and a master's degree and served a number of
school districts as a teacher and administrator; following Mr.
Polan's retirement, she joined him in founding an international
tour and travel company, which allowed her to fulfill her dream of
seeing the world; the couple visited more than 70 different
countries, and she started an import company, Ruthie's of Houston,
which turned into a successful wholesale jewelry business; and
WHEREAS, While pursuing a busy professional life, Mrs. Polan
never failed to put her loved ones first; she found time to whip up
fabulous dishes, and her recipes became staples at gatherings of
her large extended family, which grew to include five grandsons,
Thomas, Parker, Walker, William, and Chance; and
WHEREAS, This kind and compassionate Texan mentored
innumerable people, and during the time her husband served as the
director of the Methodist Student Center in Huntsville, Mrs. Polan
took in many young women who needed a place to stay, often giving
them clothing as well as food and shelter; when homeless men showed
up at the door, she gave them food, a smile, and sometimes a little
spare cash from the cookie jar; with a boundless will to serve, she
was always the first to deliver a meal to an ailing friend,
volunteer for a church garage sale, or organize opposition to a
highway that threatened quality of life in the neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, Through the years, Mrs. Polan faced any challenges
she met with grace, and whatever transpired, she remained a source
of joy and inspiration; she also continued to share with her husband
their special daily ritual, an afternoon ice cream treat; and
WHEREAS, Ruthie Polan enriched countless lives through her
warm and caring ways, and she will forever hold a special place in
the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 83rd Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Ruth Walker Polan
and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her
husband of 66 years, Glenn Polan; to her sons, Glenn Kraege Polan,
Jr., and his wife, Deborah, and Ted David Polan and his wife,
Robbie; to her grandsons, Thomas Polan and his wife, Amanda, Parker
Polan and his wife, Mary, and Walker, William, and Chance Polan; to
her sister, Beth Walker; and to her many other relatives and
friends; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for the members of her family and that when the Texas House
of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Ruthie
Polan.