John Henry Pollard

Dr. John Henry Pollard, 91, of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Born on November 17, 1933, in Bristol, England, he was a devoted husband to the late Anita Pollard and a loving father to their four children—Jennifer (Chris Johnson), Christina (David Bass), Mary (Jean-Pierre Kirch), and Andrew (Traci). A dedicated physicist and patriot, Dr. Pollard was instrumental in developing night vision technology and infrared sensors.

Born and raised in Bristol, England, to Linda and William Pollard, John discovered his passion for physics at an early age. He earned his undergraduate degree from Bristol University in England and received a full scholarship to complete his Ph.D. in Physics at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. John’s professional journey brought him to the United States in 1960, where he began teaching physics at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania and later worked for Bartol Research Laboratories. It was there that he met Anita DiMatteo, who would become the love of his life. After a brief courtship, they married and settled in Alexandria, Virginia, as John began his lifelong career supporting the U.S. Department of Army at the Night Vision Laboratories in Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Considered a founding father of the Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate, John played a key role in developing groundbreaking night vision technologies that helped soldiers “conquer the night.” Over the course of his distinguished career, he received numerous patents and awards in recognition of his scientific contributions and mentorship of young scientists. In 2006, he was awarded the Dowd Award for his work in military sensing technology, and in 2021, was inducted into the US Army’s C5ISR Hall of Fame, honoring his lifetime achievements and dedication to night vision and the Army’s mission. After retiring from civil service, he continued to consult for the laboratory and private industry well into his eighties.

Beyond his professional achievements, John was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who always prioritized family. Whether coaching soccer, helping with science fair projects, or playing the violin with his daughter, he approached every moment with love and enthusiasm. John was a pilot in the Bristol University Air Squadron of the Royal Airforce, an avid gardener, a tinkerer who could fix anything, a sailor who enjoyed racing his “dinghy” on the Potomac River, and a devoted family man. He loved flying kites on the shores of the Outer Banks of North Carolina and summer visits to the "Jersey Shore." In later years, one of his greatest joys was sitting on his front porch, waving to neighbors and sharing warm conversations as they passed by.

John’s passions, integrity, and unwavering work ethic continue to live on through his four children, their spouses, and his nine grandchildren: Christopher, Brooke (Matthew), Tori, Jack, Sophie, Joshua, Elisabeth, Alexandra, and Thomas, as well as his four step-grandchildren: Matthew, Michael, Joshua, and Lukas. He is survived by his brother, Ian Pollard, and his sister-in-law, Joan. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Anita.

Family, friends, and colleagues will remember John for his brilliance, kindness, and unwavering devotion to both his work and loved ones. He will be deeply missed.

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant (www.mountvernonrestaurant.com) from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Family and friends are invited to join in honoring John’s legacy.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Public Broadcasting Service: https://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/support-pbs/ or St Jude's Children's Research Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html