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CHARLES POTTER II

FUNERAL HOME

Francis J. Collins Funeral Home, Inc. - Silver Spring

500 University Blvd. West

Silver Spring, Maryland

CHARLES POTTER Obituary

Charles H. Potter II (Age 71)
On Sunday, December 23, 2018, of Silver Spring, MD. Loving son of the late Helen McCann and Hallett Hodges Potter; brother of the late Hallett H. Potter, Jr. He is survived by cousins, Dorothy Brault; Marilyn Williams and Marguerite Danowski and many friends. Relatives and friends may call at Collins Funeral Home, 500 University Boulevard West, Silver Spring, MD, (Valet Parking), Tuesday, January 1, from 2 to 4 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Bernadette's Church, 72 University Blvd. East, Silver Spring, MD, on Wednesday, January 2, 2019 at 11 a.m. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. www.COLLINSFUNERALHOME.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Dec. 29, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for CHARLES POTTER

24 Entries

Karen Cook

February 17, 2019

I fondly remember Charlie from our days at the Government Printing Office. He was a wealth of knowledge in many areas and I always enjoyed our chats.

My condolences to his family..

Karen (Markley) Cook

Jim Kron

January 26, 2019

Rembering Charlie fondly from our days at D&E.
Yours in the bond.
Frater Jim Kron
Class of 69

Thomas Dubel

January 8, 2019

My son Logan and I got to know Charles over the last several years at the Annandale Toy Soldier Show. He became my best customer but that is not why I am going to miss him. What I will miss is the way he always brightened our day with a story or what he was up to. He was truly unique and he loved to bargain and made it even a more enjoyable hobby. I am honestly shocked as we just got the news. I had no idea he was not doing well as I just saw him in the beginning of December at a show. The show will not be the same without him in a lot of ways. What a loss, probably one of the best personalities I have met in this hobby and he had more knowledge to pass on. Unbelievable and a reminder that life is too short.

Stephen Healey

January 8, 2019

I just learned of Charles' passing. I am sorry to lose him as a friend and as a fellow history buff. He was entertaining and a fun companion. I am sure he is as surprised of this event as I am!

Mary Ellen Hood

January 3, 2019

Charles was always a friend to look forward to visiting with, at Russian Ball and Piano Arts Council events. He always made me feel appreciated and comfortable in his presence. It was an honor to meet and fellowship with his family yesterday. Sincere condolences to all. I deeply appreciated his congeniality, good spirit and his wealth of interesting conversation. He will be missed.

Jeffrey Floyd

January 2, 2019

I knew Charles through his medal collecting world and would see him at collecting conventions around the country. He was always supportive of the collecting community. His wit will be missed.

Sarah Faizi

January 2, 2019

to Mrs Dorothy Brault condoncenses toyou and your family on the death of Charles Potter.

M. Devol

January 1, 2019

Sending support and prayers to all of Charlie's family and friends We will miss him.

At this sad time I find happiness picturing him with his family in heaven, including his aunt Florence, my grandma, together now and still with us in our hearts forever.

With love from the family of Earlene Williams Devol,
Michelle Monica and John

Ron and Nancy Fischer

January 1, 2019

My husband joins me in sending our sincere sympathies to the family. We were acquainted with Charles for many years . My husband Ron is a military historian and we visited with Charles at many meetings and conventions. Our son Andy was one of his fraternity brothers. He was a very interesting and unique gentleman.We will miss him.

Joel Kahn

January 1, 2019

I have known Charles Hallett Potter II for at least 30 years as a Fraternal Brother and Scottish Rite, where Charlie was an active member. He always liked it when I greeted him with his full name, not just Charlie Potter. When his Eastern Star Chapter merged with another, a few years ago, he affiliated with our Chapter in Takoma Park and regularly attended, bringing one or two other members with him.
I always pointed to Charles when someone would question a good Catholic being a Freemason, as he was the best example of both. I have no doubt that his Lord welcomed him to his eternal rest. I will miss his smiling face and cheerful manner.

Brian McGinness

January 1, 2019

From all of us at Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad, our condolences to Charlie's family and friends.

Charlie was a supporter of our organization, and of course his brother Hal was a longtime member for whom we have named our member of the year award.

Rest in peace Charlie.

Stephen McLeod

December 31, 2018

Charles Hallett Hodges Francis Potter III, has been my friend for 50 years. I am trying desperately to remember his full formal name. I think I am close.
We met at Davis and Elkins College where we were roommates at Graceland Hall, then the TEKE house. I was always amazed by Charles' ability to spread several books out on his disk and then turn out an A term paper in a day. I struggled for weeks with research and writing barely managing a C. I believe we were both indifferent students. Charles was elected student body president. He went on to work for the Public Printer and to teach public speaking at the University of Maryland night school. Charlie's boss at the Public Printer was a D&E alumnus. Charlie complained that this did not seem to gain him the quick advancement he desired.
He was an accomplished social being. He could be found at many Embassy parties around Washington, in particular events at the Russian Embassy. He was a friend of a Russian Countess who would introduce him around. I introduced Charles to my wife's cousin, Philippa. For several years these two would traverse the embassy party scene. This was a mut and jeff pair. You all know Charlie. Philippa is 6'2 very attractive with blond hair, blue eyes and a posh British accent and pedigree to match. We were younger then and life was fun.
Charles was an ardent collector of toy soldiers, medals and decorations, and Nazi trinkets. Our room at D&E College was decorated with some of Charles' Nazi banners. My retaliation was to set up a Buddha with lights in a window. Charlie added a large room to the back of his house to hold and display his collections. The Nazi stuff was tucked into hidden cabinets. I think he finally decided that some people mistook the collection for some sort of affirmation. Charlie had a full dress Czarist general's uniform that he once wore to a Russian Embassy soiree. Charles always had a camera at the ready, so there has to be many pictures somewhere in his house. I know he made digital copies of this collection. Part of his collection is a large TEKE fraternity badge made by the father of one of my pledge class's fathers (Lintener?) in Pittsburg.
Charles was god father to my son, Franklin Henry. Charles was at my wedding, April 14, 1984 and took pictures there. He was at Frank's baptism at Wear Church near Gloucester Court House, Virginia. My wife's parents held to the English practice of private baptism so only family and close friends were present. Charles was one of those. Charles was included in several Gloucester Christmas gatherings with my wife's family. He was always a welcome addition at the Hohler home on the North River.
Charles took the responsibility as god father seriously. He and Frank made numerous trips together to D&E College functions, to toy soldier and medal conventions. They also went on several cruses together. I am wondering how all this is sinking in with Frank. Charles and Frank were quite close. They were last together just before Christmas at a Potter family gathering.
Charlie would call us upon occasion and my wife, Mab, would answer. It would often be 30 minutes or more before I was given the phone and told it is Charles. Mab so enjoyed these chats with Charlie. She is already missing him. I feel as though my world is getting smaller. I remember when the last of my mother's aunts died. Mom said, I guess we are the old folks now. I am starting to understand what she ment.
Stephen Daniel McLeod
[email protected]

Rob Beckwith

December 31, 2018

Charlie was my fraternity brother and I am lucky enough to say he also was my friend. He was a very unique person. He was smart, methodical and had a marvelous sense of humor. He always spoke his mind and was ever willing to give his opinion. I spoke with him on a monthly basis, either on the phone or in person at his beloved Davis and Elkins. Someone once said he had an uncanny ability to be introduced to just about anyone, or to introduce himself. Even though we spoke often, I always looked forward to his annual Christmas letters. Charlie accomplished more in one year than I have accomplished in my lifetime. Where, oh where did he find the energy?
Since Charlie's passing there has been an outpouring of emotions for him from his D&E classmates. First disbelief, then remembrance of him as a student and the man that he becamestaying true to himself from start to finish.
What did Charlie do in his spare time? Attending conventions in Denver, and the West coast with a side trip cruise through the Panama Canal. Another cruise from New England and ending in Bermuda. He spent time attending coin shows, toy soldier shows and meetings of the Eastern Star and Masons. Who but Charlie would attend the Russian New Years Ball at the Cosmos Club in D.C. He attended parties at the Argentina and Bulgarian Embassies and found time to meet with Senator Lindsey Graham at the BWI Marriot.
He made it a point to attend meetings of the Knights Templar International (where he was awarded the Commendation Medal by the Grand Priory of the United States) and the American Numismatic Association in Philadelphia.
We can't forget his devotion to his alma mater Davis and Elkins. He was one of the original members of the National Alumni Council, his membership spanning 3 decades. He was the historian of the Council and always had a story involving the history of D&E for us at the meeting. He could research just about anything. He was a recipient of the College's Tower Award , an award that he cherished.
While an undergraduate at the college he became a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon serving as their secretary and was elected Student Council President during his senior year. He was politically minded, often having discussions with Senators Jennings Randolph, Robert C. Byrd, Joe Tiddings and Vice President Hubert Humphry. He even had his own telephone in his room in the TEKE house. I sometimes wondered if some of the D.C. powers didn't check with Charlie before making some critical decisions.
Charlie was one of a kind. I am proud to say he was my friend, my brother. I will miss him.
Rob Beckwith

December 31, 2018

Our sincere condolences to all family and friends for our loss of a dear and unique person. To Charles -- Fair Winds and Following Seas! EJ & Laurie

George Lauderbaugh

December 30, 2018

Charlie was my fraternity brother in TKE at Davis & Elkins College. He was loyal to TKE & D&E which he loved dearly. He was a brother and life long friend and we shared the collecting bug over the years. He was a superb editor of the Senator, our college newspaper and president of the Student Council. I will always remember his whit, intelligence and abiding friendship. My sincere condolences to his family.

December 30, 2018

We certainly miss our valued and unique friend of over 30 years. Our sincere condolences to Charles' family and all others who knew him. EJ & Laurie

Cheryl Potter Sheahan

December 30, 2018

To Charlie, your stories and imitations will remain with me always. Though I didn't stay in touch, you were and always will be in my heart.

Cousin Cheryl

Daniel Pelletier

December 29, 2018

Condolences to the Potter family. Charlie was a valued member of Tau Kappa Epsilon. He will be missed by many.

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Helen Cuda

December 29, 2018

What a great man....it was an honor to have met him...May he R.I.P...my sincere condolences

susan polino

December 29, 2018

Sympathies on the loss of Charlie.
Sam and Sue ()Evert) Polino

Suzanne Skinner

December 29, 2018

So sorry for your loss! Charlie you will be missed! WE had many fun times. R.I.P. until we meet again. Blessings and Love - Sue Skinner

December 29, 2018

My condolences to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you be strengthened with all power...so that you may endure fully with patience and joy during your grieving process.

M C

December 28, 2018

I am truly and deeply sorry for your Loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of Charles. May the God of all comport Grant you peace and strength during difficult time (Psalm 91:11).

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