Thomas Polta

Thomas Alfred Polta MD, 70 years old of Spring Lake Park, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday October 25th 2017 of complications from his long struggle with Parkinson’s Disease.

Tom was born in Santa Barbara, California, and raised in northern Minnesota.  Tom was a graduate of the University of Minnesota Medical School and later became an anesthesiologist.  Dr. Polta served in the U.S. Air Force as a captain stationed in Alaska with his first wife Chris and their sons Steve and Dan.  Tom worked as an anesthesiologist at Unity and Mercy hospitals in the Twin Cities.

Tom is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents Harold and Margaret, and his sister Caroline (Donakowski).  He will be deeply missed by his sisters Claudia (Baldwin) and Cathy, his four sons Steve, Dan (Alana), Cory (Darrian), and Kyle, his in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many close friends from AA.

Tom valued time with his family, spending many hours with them at the Big Blue House on Leech Lake.  He enthusiastically supported his boys’ fishing, basketball, tennis, and scouting.  He enjoyed fishing throughout his life.  His search for a true lunker was ongoing.

His family is grateful for the loving care Tom received from all the staff at White Pine Senior Living of Fridley, Brighton Hospice, the Struthers Parkinson’s Institute, and Club Create.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on November 18th at The Church of St. Cecilia, 2357 Bayless Pl, St Paul, at 11 am with visitation one hour earlier.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation.