HARTWICK – Robert W. Potter, 74, of Hartwick, passed away on August 29, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer.
He was born February 10, 1949, to Waldo and Emily (Bain) Potter. He graduated from Cooperstown Central School in 1968, and was a lifetime resident of Scotch Hill in Hartwick.
After high school, Bob enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served one tour of duty in Vietnam. Assigned to Company D, 9th Engineering Battalion, he saw action as a mine sweeper. For his service he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, a Rifle Marksmanship Badge, the Vietnam Service Medal and the RVN Cross of Gallantry with Palm and Frame.
On February 18, 1984, Bob married Barbara A. Polinski in a ceremony at the Hartwick Christian Church.
A farm boy at heart, he worked for many years at John Hurtubise’s farm in Hartwick; they became like his second family. Later, he worked for NYS DOT plowing snow based out of Burlington and worked on the bridge crew in the summers.
He loved to make people laugh and was known for his one-liners and jokes. “If this rain keeps up, it won’t come down” and “Do the voices in my head bother you?” were favorites. He loved to quote song verses (“Me and Earl was hauling chickens on a flatbed of Wiggins…”) and watching Westerns.
Bob is survived by his wife, Barbara Potter; son, Robert Thomas (“Tommy”) Potter; sisters Betsy (Steve) Sywetz, Mary (Richard) Balcom, Janet Potter and Linda (Tom) Foody; brother David; sister-in-law, Theresa (Dave) Viti; and many nieces, a nephew, and close family friend, Quinton Hasak.
He was predeceased by his son, Anthony Joseph (“Joey”) Potter in 2007.
At Bob’s request, there will be no calling hours or funeral service. A graveside service will be offered at 11 a.m. Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Hartwick Cemetery, with Jack Klosheim, Senior Pastor of Community Bible Chapel in Toddsville, officiating. Military Honors will be rendered by members of the Hartwick American Legion, the Cooperstown Veterans Club and the United States Marine Corps Funeral Honors Team.
Immediately following the services at the cemetery, all are welcome to gather at the Hartwick Vet’s Club for a Celebration of Bob’s Life.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the “Anthony Joseph Potter Scholarship Fund” at Cooperstown Central School. Gifts may be made payable to “Cooperstown Central School” and mailed to the school’s business office at 39 Linden Avenue, Cooperstown, NY 13326. Please note the name of the scholarship on your check.
Arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
