Roger Aikman Pott

1930 - 2016

Roger Aikman Pott
September 7, 1930 - November 19, 2016
Resident of San Jose
Roger died on November 19th after a brief battle with Alzheimer's and a subsequent stroke. He was the second of five sons born to Alan and Katherine Pott in Summit, NJ. He starred in three sports at Summit High, NJ, setting records in baseball, basketball and soccer. He enrolled at Swarthmore College, PA and found that his high school sweetheart, Nancy Pawell, had enrolled there as well, to their mutual delight. He continued with the three sports, the catcher in baseball developing his life-long obsession with his favorite sport. He was named the "All American Goal Keeper" after only his sophomore season in 1950.
The Korean war was quickly escalating so he enlisted in the Air Force during his Sophomore year. He was assigned to the Security Services wing and was sent to Syracuse, NY to become an expert in the Russian language. He and Nancy married in 1952 and were thankful to be shipped out to England where Nancy could move as well. Stationed at RAF Chicksands in Bedfordshire, England his duties were to monitor and translate the Russian language whenever intercepted and to help the base basketball team dominate their European league. Living two years in England provided a rare opportunity for the newlyweds to explore and travel the continent at a time when Americans were appreciated.
Upon discharge Roger enrolled at Syracuse to complete his undergraduate degree and earn his law degree in 1958. It was during this time that daughters Kathy and Marian were born in Syracuse, NY. His first job was with the IRS Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C. This is when son Lawrence was born in Alexandria, VA. After visiting Nancy's parents in Menlo Park, Roger and Nancy fell in love with CA and the Bay Area vowing to return some day and make it their home. He earned a transfer shortly thereafter to the IRS regional office in San Francisco and the family moved, settling in Sunnyvale in 1961.
He subsequently went into private practice and opened his own Law Corporation in 1973. His firm specialized in taxation and estate planning often litigating against the IRS and was legal counsel to the first oyster farm on the island of Oahu. He continued practicing law into his 80's and loved to advise on and research legal topics all his days.
Roger's lifelong love of sports continued as he became an avid golfer and eventually switched his full-time athletic participation to tennis, at 6' 5" tall his serve was dominating. He was a dedicated fan of the 49ers and Warriors but lived and died with his beloved Giants, starting with them at the Polo Grounds while a young boy. His father and brothers used to take the train into Manhattan in the 1930's to watch games and when the Giants moved to SF in 1958 Roger just couldn't stay behind.
Although Roger and Nancy divorced after 22 years and Roger subsequently remarried and divorced twice more, the high school sweethearts were forever grateful for their terrific shared gene pool. That product left behind the strong family background and spiritual roots evident in their offspring today.
Roger was predeceased by Brothers Gordon, Norman, Douglas and granddaughter Audrie. He is survived by daughters Kathy (Roger), Marian (Craig), and son Lawrence (Lisa). Grandchildren: Corey, Geoff, Sam, Jane, , Gemma, Morgan, Oliver and great granddaughter Addelyn, brother Ronald and many nieces and nephews.
His family is grateful that he died in peace and grace. They privately celebrate his life and will forever remember him fondly.


View the online memorial for Roger Aikman Pott