Paul Edwin Potter

Paul Edwin Potter, age 94, died July 4, 2020. He was the second son of Edwin F. and Mabel Y. Potter, was born August 30, 1925 in Springfield, Ohio. All but his very earliest years were spent in southwestern Ohio-first in Cincinnati and later in Clermont County-where he went to a two room school from grades 5 through eight. Paul served in the U.S. Army in World War II, finished as a Private First Class in the Philippines in May 1946. After World War II he studied geology at the University of Chicago, spent nine years with the Illinois Geological Survey in Urbana, Illinois, where he also obtained a second MS degree in statistics. Subsequently, he spent a year at Johns Hopkins University, seven at Indiana University followed by 19 at the University of Cincinnati. In 1992 Paul retired from the University as Professor Emeritus and moved to Brazil to teach for seven years, but returned in 2001. Throughout his career Paul has done both research and teaching and in the process has studied geology mostly in the Eastern United States, Mexico, and across South America, especially in Brazil. Over his lifetime he has helped coauthor several books and many research papers, so he was well known not only in North America but widely abroad. The service will be held in the gazebo at Mt. Moriah Cemetery, 686 Mt. Moriah Dr., Withamsville, on Thursday, July 9th at 10 am with full military honors. Memorials may be directed to the Dr. Paul Edwin Potter Geology Fund at www.gcfdn.org/Giving/Donate/Online. T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home serving the family. www.tpwhite.com

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Published by The Cincinnati Enquirer from Jul. 6 to Jul. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for Paul Potter

9 Entries

Daniel

February 6, 2025

The Paul Edwin Potter Internship Program:
https://www.uky.edu/KGS/intern/
Dr. Potter continues to teach the next generation of geologists, because his work lives on as an internship opportunity.

Atila DaRosa

December 14, 2021

My latest condolences to the family of Prof. Potter, who greatly influenced geologists around the world, specially in southern Brazil

Leonardo Torres da Silva

December 1, 2021

Thank you.

Dale A Kramer

June 1, 2021

RIP Paul.

Kristin

July 10, 2020

I met Paul at his nursing home when I was visiting my grandma whom he called 101 because of her age. We had several meals at the same table and I greatly enjoyed the time I spent with him. I will always remember him! A supremely gracious, generous, caring and special human being. Grateful to have made the Professors acquaintance.

Andrew Ward

July 9, 2020

I think of Paul as a good friend who was always willing to talk about anything. Solving societies problems or just talking about the weather, we considered it a good day if we both had a laugh. He traveled the world extensively and always had a story to tell about his various adventures. He had met heads of state, corporate leaders, and taxi drivers. We would often go out to lunch or dinner together and I remember the first time I went to Bob Evans with him and the cooks, manager, and some of the waitresses came over and greeted him by name. This happened at several restaurants. You could show him a picture of a formation and he could tell you where in the world that picture was taken. I once tried to stump him with a photo of a formation on Mars. He liked to talk to the small family farmers about their corn and tomatoes at the weekend market by Lunken Airport. Later he would tell me about the various areas where the soil was best for the different crops. He enjoyed flying in vintage airplanes and was ecstatic about his ride in an old Ford Tri-Motor over the city. He managed to talk the pilot into flying over his condo so he could take pictures of his home. When he once wanted to do an aerial survey of the origin of the Great Miami River he did it in an early Piper Cub rather than a modern Cessna. During the war he was a forward observer which meant he would, by himself or with another soldier, travel through the jungle to spot the enemy and direct artillery fire on to their location. I often thought his terrain and map reading skills led him to take up Geology. Paul and I worked together on the photography and designs of his publications and teaching aids. He would always want to make sure we corrected every flaw so the final product was perfect. Now to give you a sense of his humor, when he asked me to take an official portrait of him, he kept the tie outside of his v-neck sweater I told him that was not how its supposed to be worn. Paul said he preferred it that way and gave me that wry smile. I could go on and on but Paul was never one to boast about himself, though judging by the awards, citations, and accolades he received over the years he could very well do so. I hope that those that are able to attend his funeral can share some of their stories of this wonderful person. I know he will be greatly missed.

Pamela Johnston and family

July 7, 2020

My mother and I met Paul through my son who became friends with him at the University of Cincinnati. Paul came and spent Christmas with us the Christmas of 2017. We found him so interesting to tell us of his travels. He stayed a part of my sons life as almost a Grandfather type figure and I will always be so grateful to how he mentored Justin. This is a loss to many. But will be in many hearts forever. RIP Dr. Potter you will me missed.

Bob Breitenstein

July 6, 2020

I first met Paul as a student at the Univetsity of Cincinnati in the fall of 1975. I was in my second year after serving in the army.
Paul was the consummate educator as well as science researcher.
After losing contact with Paul, we reestablished friendship around 2005 and went on several local field trips together, which included my young daughters. We had great times.
In Paul's later years, when he was a resident at a local retirement community, we kept in contact and managed a few more field trips and even a GSA convention in Indianapolis.
Covid cut short our visits but my wife and I were able to deliver cherry pies and other favorites to Twin Towers via front door relay.
Paul, the humanitarian, author, professor, geologist, researcher and soldier will be dearly missed.

Nubia Schneider Franca

July 6, 2020

Dr. Potter, you will be forever in my childhood memories. And there is a lot to remember. Thank you for such support during my fathers PhD and for sharing your stories of life with us! RIP, will miss you!

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