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BORN
1946
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Earl Potter Obituary
Saint Cloud
Oct. 4, 1946 - June 13, 2016
Earl H. Potter III, President of St. Cloud State University, Minnesota, died Monday, June 13, 2016. He was 69 years old.
Friends, family and community are invited to a Campus and Community Gathering from 3-5 p.m. June 17 at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center at St. Cloud State. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. June 18 at St. John's Episcopal Church in St. Cloud.
Born October 4, 1946 in Providence, Rhode Island, to Earl H. Potter Jr., and Dorothy (Nelson) Potter, he spent his childhood in North Kingston, Rhode Island. Serving in the U.S. Coast Guard from 1969 to 1993, he retired at the rank of Captain.
He served on multiple Minnesota community boards, national boards and international associations. Throughout his life, he was dedicated to service, social consciousness and fostering community.
He was always generous, quick to give credit to those around him, and his many stories were often punctuated with humor. With deep connections to the St. Cloud community and throughout the world, his leadership, friendship, and caring nature will be deeply missed.
Earl is survived by his wife Christine; his daughter Margaret of Minneapolis; son Christopher, his wife Elizabeth (Nowlis) and their 3 daughters of Boston; son Earl, his wife Lily (Lee) and their son of Miami; and daughter Jamie of St. Cloud. He is also survived by a brother Dean Potter and his wife Shelley (Nadell); and sister Deanne DeFusco and husband Guido. He is preceded in death by his parents Earl H. Potter Jr. and Dorothy (Nelson) Potter, and his son K. Brandon Potter.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in honor of Earl H. Potter III to the St. Cloud State University Foundation, Lewis House, 720 Fourth Avenue South, St. Cloud, MN 56301 or www.stcloudstate.edu/foundation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Earl Potter
Sponsored by Miller-Carlin Funeral Home - Saint Cloud.
Bruce Moses
April 10, 2021
Earl was the Dean of the College of Business at Eastern Michigan University when I was a young professional and student at the institution. I remember how I admired his positive presence and professional demeanor as a member of the University Strategic Planning Committee. He was a great leader and highly respected man. Sending prayers and thoughts to his family.
Richard Gough
June 19, 2020
Remembering Earl on this day. Best regards to his family and friends.
Tim Hofstetter
June 9, 2019
Earl was my high school classmate, sports teammate, and good friend. He was very intelligent, well spoken and a exceptional leader. These traits were exemplified in his careers as distinguished military and collegiate academia. Earl will will be missed but never forgotten. High School Classmate Tim Hofstetter NK 64'
S. J. LaMonica
September 29, 2017
I was stationed with Earl in Alaska on the Coast Guard Cutter Sweetbrier in 1971. He was an Ensign and I was enlisted.....but that chasm was bridged by his great personality and likeability. It is no surprise that Earl was so successful in life.
It was my fond memories of him that caused me to look for his name on the internet...... and to find this sad news.
My condolences to his family members.
Richard Gough
September 18, 2016
18th September, just heard the very sad news of Earl's passing. We send our sympathy to the Potter family.
Dick & Betty Gough, Nenagh, Tipperary, Ireland.
July 9, 2016
Earl was a member of the class of 1964 NKHS and played tackle on the football team. He was a graduate of the USGC Academy. The last time a saw Earl we were both at home in NK on Leave and he was the XO on the USCG Ship the Eagle. My sympathies to his family.
Dave Froberg
Tim Hofstetter
July 6, 2016
Earl friend and high school classmate you left behind a legacy for all to follow. I remember his intelligence in the classroom, toughness on the football, and his respect and kindness to all. Prayers and thoughts to the family and all those that knew this GREAT man.
Katie Charles Linstead
July 6, 2016
To know Earl way back in high school was to know what a wise and giving man he would turn out to be. A terrible loss to see him gone so soon. Sympathies to his family, nuclear and extended.
David Ederheimer
July 5, 2016
To Earl's Family, Earl was a high school classmate and longtime friend and he will be missed by us all. It was so good to see him at our 50th reunion and talking to him was amazing. He was ecstatic with his family life and his work with St. Cloud. May his life and his legacy endure. Godspeed to you all that are left with this tremendous void.
Larry Goldstein
June 28, 2016
I knew Earl professionally for many years and found him to be an outstanding colleague. One who quickly moved beyond colleague to become a valued friend. He asked me to provide assistance on several issues at St. Cloud State and it was a pleasure to work with him and his team. I know he is missed there and in the broader state system, but I'm sure the loss is felt hardest by his family and friends. His significant contributions to higher education will be a lasting legacy of his many accomplishments. I hope his family takes comfort knowing how much he cared and contributed. Warm regards.
Steve Glazner
June 28, 2016
Echoing Lander Medlin's condolences, I wanted to share my own sadness of heart at the news of Earl's passing. He supported APPA (the association for educational facilities leaders) by attending and actively participating in 5 of our past 6 annual Thought Leaders symposiums, including the one held this past April. He was thoughtful, kind, and firm in his opinions and contributions, and his careful reviews and comments on our report drafts were always on point and made them better. I'm sure the entire St. Cloud State and MNSCU communities will miss him greatly. My best to Earl's family and friends.
E. Lander Medlin
June 28, 2016
The APPA organization (education facilities professionals across the world) was blessed to have Earl's sharp mind as a regular participant in our annual Thouight Leaders Symposium. Not many college presidents are as dedicated as Earl was to the larger community of facilities service personnel. He actively chose to give his time and attention to our topics with thoughtful engagement, adept content reviews, and constructive critiques. We are a better organization because of Earl. We will miss him greatly. He will not be forgotten. Our hearts are with his immediate family and collegiate friends at St. Cloud. We know of your loss. May God bless each of you.
June 19, 2016
Our family had never met Earl, but in October 2009, the day we held our Memorial service for our Dad , Earl took the time out of his busy life to stop by and share his condolences with us and recognized our Dad for his many years of service with SCSU. Our Dad did his undergraduate work their and was a professor their for 30 years. He touched our hearts that day because he acknowledged the sacrifices and dedication our Dad made and he knew how meaningful it is was for us to hear what a differnce all those years of hard work made for the University and to all his students. Thank you Earl for your compassion and dedication to your community not only at SCSU, but all those you have inspired and cared about throughout your career; and most of all to his loved ones who lost this precious man in their lives I want to extend the same recognition to your family for all of his dedication and service. My thoughts and prayers go out to you today. He will not be forgotten. The family of Dr. Keith M. Knutson - P.h.D. Phycology/Aquatic Ecology (1940-2009).
June 17, 2016
Our condolences to Christine and the rest of the Potter family. Dorothy and I are deeply saddened about your lost and our prayers our with you. Richard and Dorothy Green
Lincoln University, PA
Nick Blanchard
June 17, 2016
Our heartfelt condolences. We are so saddened. Our prayers are with you and your family. Claudia and Nick Blanchard - Eastern Michigan University.
Marly Keller
June 17, 2016
This photo was taken July 25, 2015 as Dr. Potter spoke in strong support of bringing Northstar to St. Cloud. He spoke about the positive impact of public transportation in his youth.
Sylvester Lamin
June 17, 2016
May his soul rest in perfect peace. He was a fine gentleman and a modest leader.
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