Carl Edwin Polan was born Sept. 14, 1931, on Eibs Camp, Blandville, W.Va., to Willie D. Polan and Flossie Trent Polan. He grew up with his brothers, Clinton (deceased) and Cecil and sister, Carol Sue.
Farming was a way of life from a very young age. He grew up in a small community with love from family and friends to guide him. He attended the Middle Island Seventh Day Baptist Church.
On June 9, 1956, he married Anna Lee Underwood, they were married for 66 years. Together they had four children; sons, Mark Edwin Polan (deceased), Gregory Carl (Pam Linkous) Polan and David Louis (Debby) Polan, and daughter, Leanne (Robert) Reynolds; six granddaughters, Rachel (Dwayne) Link, Alice (Aaron) Duty, Emily (Andrew) Polan-Harper, Carly (Brandon) Dove, Sarah Polan and Lindsey Polan; and great-grandchildren, Daniel, Sadie and Natalie Link, Austin and Cayson Dove, and Amos and Adalee Duty. He is also survived by more than 70 cousins, sister-in-law, nieces and nephews.
After receiving his BS and MS from WVU he received his PhD from NC State in Raleigh, N.C. and worked on post-doc in Biochemistry at University of Minn., St. Paul. He then moved his family to Blacksburg in 1965 and became a Professor in Dairy Science.
Carl was a boy scout leader beginning in 1967. He bought a small farm outside of Blacksburg and started his own small herd of cattle. He loved to work the land, mow hay and watch the calves grow.
Over the years he has been recognized with scouting, professional and industry awards. He won the 1988 ADSA Animal Research Award and the 2003 WVU College of Ag Alumni Distinguished Service Award. In January 1998, he was named Professor Emeritus of Dairy Science at Virginia Tech.
Carl Edwin Polan, our dad, pa, will be missed so much. He filled a huge space in our lives. The greatest gift our dad gave us was not what he left behind but what he helped us become. He was very loved by us all.
A graveside service was conducted, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at 11 a.m. in the Westview Cemetery, with the Rev. Todd Milsap officiating.
