Obituaries : * Joseph George Polifka; Engineer, Honored Veteran

Joseph George Polifka a retired Ventura civil engineer and decorated Marine Corps veteran, died March 17 of cancer. He was 88.

Born in Raton, N.M., on Oct. 4, 1907, Polifka was a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. He led landing teams that stormed the beaches of Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan, Tinian and Okinawa, according to nephew Frank Polifka.

Recognized for his leadership and “coolness under fire,” Polifka received a Bronze Star for his service, his nephew said.

A lifelong bachelor, Polifka immersed himself in his work after the war as a civil engineer with Boyle Engineering.

“He got a ‘Dear John’ letter from his girlfriend during the war, and he never found anyone else he was interested in marrying,” his nephew said. “But he was a very family-oriented guy and very interested in his nieces and nephews.”

A graduate of UC Berkeley who later received an MBA from Harvard University, Polifka worked on flood control projects in California and in several developing countries. He retired in 1981.

An avid traveler, Polifka is remembered for his vigor and sense of humor. Ten years ago, he traveled to Antarctica and sent back a photo of himself dressed in a conductor’s tuxedo standing before thousands of penguins.

“I don’t think he had many regrets at all,” his nephew said. “He led a full life. . . . I imagine his only regret would have been that he didn’t marry the woman he loved when he had the opportunity to do so, although he never said as much.”

Polifka is survived by his nephews, Karl Polifka Jr. of Williamsburg, Va., and Frank Polifka of Fresno; and by nieces Sissy Moore of Watsonville, Sonya Polifka Rowe and Josephine Polifka Flippen, both of San Diego.

A private family gathering is planned. Memorial donations may be sent to the Livingston Memorial Hospice, 1996 Eastman Ave., Suite 101 Ventura, CA 93003. Cremation arrangements were under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, Ventura.