Robert Sanford Potter

1928 - 2021

Robert Sanford Potter

St. Augustine, FL - Robert Sanford Potter passed away on May 23, 2021, in St. Augustine, FL, as the result of a long life, well-lived. His three daughters were with him during his last week, and eldest daughter, Amy, was at his side, keeping him company overnight, when he passed. Dad was 92 years old. He was loved and will be missed.

Dad came from strong New England and Midwestern stock, with a heavy dose of New York "brass". Frugal, stoic, practical, stubborn and caring, Dad had great common sense and an incredible work ethic. He might not have said it often, but we knew he loved us. Arriving on September 30, 1928, in New York City, he was the first of three sons born to Harriet Weber Potter and Robert Waldo Potter. Raised in White Plains, NY, he attended local schools and got into mischief with neighborhood buddies. As a teen, Dad played ice hockey and the drums and trained at Camp Smith with the NY State Guard. He was a lifeguard at the beach in Rye, NY, washed dishes at a Howard Johnson on Cape Cod and picked produce at Quaker-run summer camps. A life-long lover of cars, Dad could gap spark plugs, adjust carburetors, and drive like a New York cabbie. His musical tastes ranged from Wild Bill Davison to Alison Krauss, and everything in-between.

After graduating from high school in 1945, Dad enlisted in the Army at age 17. He received basic training at Fort McClellan and left for Germany on a Liberty Ship, embarking from Fort Kilmer, NJ. As a member of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, he served for 22 months, spending time in Friesling and Inglestaadt. Dad attended Iowa Wesleyan College, joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity, majored in History and met our mother, Georgia "Jo" Volkman. They married after he graduated and settled in her hometown of Hammond, Indiana. Dad began what was to be an almost 30 year career with United Parcel Service in customer service management. Daughters Amy, Jan and Jill came along, and UPS transferred Dad to Utica, NY, then to the Metropolitan New York area. The family moved to White Plains, and Dad commuted to Long Island, Manhattan and Greenwich, CT over the course of his career. He made sure he always had a car small enough to park on city streets, avoiding the mortal sin of paying for garage parking. Dad taught himself to sail and all about wine, priding himself on discovering bargain reds. He taught us how to drive a stick shift, took us to our first concerts, put us through college and walked us down the aisle. He was always willing and able to help with car problems, money issues and house projects.

After retiring, Dad and his second wife, Barbara, relocated to the Outer Banks, NC and later to St. Augustine, FL. Dad welcomed Barb's children, Neal and Lisa, and their families into his world. He was never one to be idle, acquiring a long line of boats, both sail and power, and cars, tinkering with them, then moving on to another project. Exclamations of "C'mon, Potter" would echo from his garage, as he pushed through a challenging task. Dad and Barb enjoyed river boat trips in Europe, and their marathon road trips along the Eastern seaboard were legendary. Dad's love for all animals motivated him to volunteer at a bird sanctuary, delivering bait to be used for bird food. You can imagine how his cars smelled. Dad and Barb adored many four legged friends, including the neighborhood's feral cats. We admired Dad's gumption but feared for his safety, when he tried out RV ownership and motorcycle lessons.

After Barbara passed away in 2017, Dad resided with daughter Jan and her husband Alan in Tenants Harbor, ME. Two Maine winters were enough, and Dad returned to Florida, choosing to reside in an assisted living facility in St. Augustine. His last two years were quiet, as he lost more mobility and memory. Daughter Jill was his anchor during this time, visiting regularly and maintaining a steady cookie supply. Dad's final illness was brief. He leaves behind daughters Amy Rapoza and husband Dan of Marion, VA, Jan Letourneau and husband Alan of Tenants Harbor, ME and Jill Florez and husband Rob of St. Augustine, FL. His first wife, Jo, passed away in 2004. Also surviving him are step-children Lisa Watkins of Highland, NY, Neal Watkins and wife Veronica of Chula Vista, CA and his brothers Theodore and partner Jean Haywood, of Pittsfield, MA and Joel and Prudence, of Worton, MD. "G-Bob" will be missed by grandchildren Mathew and Kelly Rapoza, Seth and Missy Rapoza, Kate Letourneau and Andy Lubershane, Carrie Letourneau and Will Guinther, Daniel Florez, Ashley Florez, and Andrew and Kadey Florez, Jasmine and Dominick Romani, Lily Watkins and Ethan Watkins. Great grandchildren include Brody, Porter, Davis, Ryleigh, Zoey, Eve, Natalie, Gregory and Luca. Former sister-in-law Jean Potter, and nieces and nephews, from Colorado to Norway, also have memories of him to share.

Please talk with your elders, pass the stories on to your loved ones and hold your memories close. Be kind and generous to your family, friends and to all animals. If so inclined, make a donation to your local animal shelter. Dad would like that.

Arrangements were managed by the National Cremation Society of Jacksonville, FL. Services will be private.