Dr. David Pollio, 57, was serving as an associate professor of Classics at Christopher Newport University (CNU) at the time of his death on Friday, Dec. 26, according to his obituary. Pollio was born in Brooklyn and moved to New Jersey, where he graduated from Columbia High School.
He earned a B.A. in Latin from Rutgers University and an M.A. in Latin from Tufts University. His studies earned him a fellowship studying classics at Bryn Mawr College, where he received his second M.A. and a Ph.D. in Classical Languages.
In 2004 he relocated to Hampton Roads and joined CNU as an associate professor. He devoted his time to showing his students the lessons of antiquity that are relevant and influential.
As an advisor, Pollio sought students who were undecided or struggling to find their footing in college, according to his wife and fellow latin scholar, Heidi. Together, they co-founded the Eighth Grade Odyssey at Norfolk Academy and brought more than 100 students to Sicily, Pompeii and Rome.
Pollio is survived by Heidi, his wife of 27 years, and children, Max and Sophie; his parents Dr. Gerald Pollio and Phyllis Pollio; his sister Dr. Elizabeth Pollio and brother Dominic, as well as several others.
A memorial service for Dr. Pollio will be held Jan. 17, at 1 p.m. in CNU’s Pope Chapel. Memorial donations can be made to the David Pollio Memorial Scholarship for Classical Studies and Italian through CNU.
