David Pollatsek, 38

David Pollatsek passed away of sudden onset cardiac arrhythmia at age 38 on December 13, 2012, leaving behind his loving wife Mary (Roy) Pollatsek and many many friends & family all over the world. David was born on June 17, 1974, to Harriet and Alexander Pollatsek, little brother to Shura, in Amherst, MA. David graduated from Amherst Regional High School in 1992 and went on to study computer science at Carleton College in Northfield, MN where he graduated in 1996. After college, Dave found his dream job working as a game developer. In 1996, he co-founded Monster Games with his partners Richard Garcia, David Broske and Owen Justice. Over the last 16 years he was able to pursue his passion and was instrumental in developing games that sold worldwide. David & Mary found each other in 2010, and he was quickly welcomed into the Roy family. They were married at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, MN on August 25, 2012, surrounded by their close friends and family, who all witnessed their touching, loving ceremony and the joy they had found in each other. David & Mary were excited to begin their lives together in Northfield and had many dreams for their future. David’s friends and family remember his generous spirit, loyal friendship and quick wit. He loved music and was a gifted guitarist. He had a brilliant mind and was a lifelong learner of everything from flying airplanes, to playing exotic musical instruments, studying mathematics and learning to play hockey.

In addition to his wife Mary, survivors include his parents, Alexander and Harriet Pollatsek of Amherst, Mass.; his sister, Shura Pollatsek and husband Mitchell Wilson of Bowling Green, Kentucky; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, John and Barbara Roy of Circle Pines; his in-laws: Matthew (Michele) Roy of Apple Valley, Elizabeth Roy of Circle Pines, Paul (Sarah) Roy of Maplewood, Anthony Roy of Circle Pines, David Roy and fiancee Jennifer Gruenes of Minneapolis, Ann Roy of Minneapolis; 2 nephews, Charles and Michael; two aunts: Lynne Buck of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Deborah (Ronald) Kramer of Macomb, Michigan.  He was preceded in death by uncle Raymond Buck.

A celebration of David’s life will be held 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December18, at Skinner Chapel on the campus of Carleton College.  Following the service a reception will be held from 3-5 p.m. in the Great Hall at Carleton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to a scholarship fund to be established at Carleton College in David’s name.

Arrangements are with the Benson & Langehough Funeral Home. www.northfieldfuneral.com