David Michael John Pollio

Dr. David Pollio died unexpectedly and peacefully at age 57 on December 26, 2025, surrounded by his beloved family. David, who was serving as Associate Professor of Classics at Christopher Newport University at the time of his passing, will be remembered as a brilliant scholar and teacher, a beloved husband and father, son and brother, uncle and great uncle, a lifelong Yankees and Jets fan, and a kind, exuberant, and generous man.

David was born in Brooklyn on July 17, 1968, to Dr. Gerald Pollio and Phyllis (née Smith) Pollio. The family moved to Maplewood, New Jersey, during his childhood, and 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. Early in his academic journey, he was mentored by Rutgers professor Dr. Alden Smith, who inspired David to study abroad in Italy which led to his choosing a life of exploration and scholarship in Classics. More important, Dr. Smith served as a matchmaker, introducing David to his fellow Latin major and instant soulmate, Heidi. David’s passion and scholarship earned him a fellowship studying Classics at Bryn Mawr College where he received a second M.A. and a Ph.D. in Classical Languages.

He began his academic career at the College of New Jersey in 1996, where he developed a small following into a fully developed Classics department and major. Eight years later, he moved to Hampton Roads to join the faculty at Christopher Newport University, where he served as Associate Professor of Classics. David brought brilliance, passion, insatiable curiosity, and joy to his teaching. While some might view Classics as elitist, David devoted his time and energy to showing his students that the lessons of antiquity are relevant, influential, profound, fulfilling, and utterly accessible to all. At the time of his death, he was in the midst of leading his department in the field of digital humanities and an innovative use of AI in pedagogy. His vision for Classics was forward-thinking, creative, and centered on the principle that guided his work: Experiential learning connects the intellectual to the personal, forging a vibrant pairing of ancient wisdom and self-awareness. Students were the center of all his work, and he was the guide—a brilliant and humble mentor to them all. His ebullient kindness and affability drew people to him. He was a giant in intellect and stature, but he could meet anyone at any level, offering his complete and genuine interest. As an advisor, he always sought out the undecided majors or those struggling to find their footing in college. His own undergraduate experiences gave him a deep understanding of those who strayed from the straight and narrow. To encourage them, he would sometimes pull out his transcript from Rutgers and attest that if he could rebound from the abyss, anyone could. Over the years, he led college students on academic trips to Israel, Jordan, and Italy, where he curated an experience to connect their modern lives to the lessons of the ancient world while enjoying their rich, modern cultures. He also co-founded the Eighth Grade Odyssey at Norfolk Academy with his wife, Heidi, and brought more than 100 students to Sicily, Pompeii, and Rome, giving them an experience of antiquity that was life-altering and full of discovery.

In all things, including Classics and adventurous travel, David had a loving and enthusiastic partner in Heidi. While David was at Tufts, Heidi joined him as she began graduate work at Boston University. Together, they further cemented their love of the ancient world and each other while enjoying the history and culture of Boston (deigning to live in the historic and majestic, yet despised, shadow of Fenway Park). They officially tied the knot at the only possible venue, Yankee Stadium, on August 9, 1998 (but only after the Bombers clobbered the Royals). 2002 was a transformational year: David completed his doctoral

dissertation and the couple welcomed their first child, Max Benjamin. Their beautiful daughter, Sophie Elise, came into the world four years later. When he started teaching at CNU they lived in Newport News, but the family soon moved to Norfolk to be closer to Norfolk Academy, where Heidi teaches Latin, and Max and Sophie attended school, graduating in 2021 and 2024 respectively.

However successful he was as a scholar and teacher, this paled in comparison to his success as a father. At every stage and every age, he embraced fatherhood with boundless joy and humor. David could not wait to share everything that he loved with his children, from sports to literature, music to movies, history, politics, food, travel and the millions of other morsels of knowledge he absorbed during his life. He did this while discovering what they liked and nurturing their common interests. He attended every softball game, every football game, wrestling match, track meet, and concert, beaming with pride and gratitude. Life was never about him, it was always in the care and celebration of Max and Sophie.

David was intensely curious about the world and its people. A conversation with David included his full and genuine attention and his limitless compassion. He had so many gifts and exceptional qualities, but it was his wit that glued it all together, even at life's most difficult times. He drew upon countless sources of humor, from ancient Homer to Homer Simpson, to right the ship or lighten any mood. He filled life to the brim with love, joy, and a light that will live on in all who knew and loved him.

David is survived by Heidi, his wife of 27 years, and children, Max and Sophie; his parents, Dr. Gerald Pollio of Williamsburg, VA and Phyllis Pollio of Cinnaminson, NJ; his sister Dr. Elisabeth Pollio (Jeff Vacha) of Princeton, NJ; his brother Dominic of Los Angeles; aunt Alison Rubin (Ken); sister-in-law Wendy Cronshey (Jim), sister-in-law Shelley Scoleri (Fred), and brother-in-law Bill Houst (Sharon McCormack); niece Jennifer Cronshey, and nephews Christopher Cronshey (Jessica), Taylor Cronshey (Caitlyn), and Prashant Houst.

A memorial service for David will be held on January 17th, 1 PM at Pope Chapel on the campus of Christopher Newport University, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Newport News, VA, followed by a reception at the Klich Alumni House.

Memorial donations may be made to the David Pollio Memorial Scholarship for Classical Studies and Italian through Christopher Newport University.