Bernard ""Bernie"" Polak

Bernard ""Bernie"" Polak, 95, entered into rest on Wednesday, November 7, 2012 in Englewood, Colorado. Bernie was born in in Amersfoort, Holland on April 25, 1917 to the late Jacob and Eliseba Polak. He moved to New York in 1939 and relocated to Aspen, Colorado in 1974, followed by a move to the Denver area, where he resided for 31 years. Bernie retired as President of Polak's Frutal Works, an international flavors and fragrances business. He was active in many professional and civic organizations including the Kiwanis Club, American Society of Perfumers, and the Chemist's Club. He founded the Kiwanis Club chapter in Amsterdam, Holland and Aspen, Colorado and was a recent member of the Kiwanis of Southeast Denver. Through his involvement with a local Kiwanis Club chapter in Middletown, New York he started a youth exchange program with Holland that ultimately sponsored exchange students for over twenty years. Bernie was an avid skier for many years, as well as a photographer, and traveller. He and his wife Mary were members of the Wellshire Presbyterian Church. He and Mary were patrons of the arts and enjoyed attending the Colorado Symphony, the Denver Art Museum, and the theater for many years. Through his generosity he supported many local, national and international organizations. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary E. Polak, in Denver; daughter Landy C. Cooke and husband David of South Lake, Texas; step-daughter, Karen E. Sweet, of Denver, Colorado; step-son, Lloyd F. Sweet, Jr and wife Nancy Sweet, of Centennial, Colorado; step-son Brian D. Sweet, Sr., of Middletown, NY; son Evert Polak, of Tucson, Arizona; nine grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in Denver at the Wellshire Presbyterian Church at 11 AM on Saturday, November 17, 2012 In lieu of flowers the family has requested that memorial contributions may be made in Bernie's name to the Kiwanis Memorial Scholarship Endowment, PO Box 101405, Denver, Colorado 80250-1405. Please share your memories of Bernie and condolences with his family by signing the guestbook.