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Christopher Potter Obituary
January 23, 1969 - July 12, 2025
Christopher (Chris) Thomas Potter, 56, passed away on July 12, 2025, in Eugene, Oregon, from a sudden cardiac event while playing soccer with friends. Born on January 23, 1969 in Lima, Peru to Thomas and Linda Lytle Potter, Chris spent his childhood in Peru, Uruguay, and Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Chris earned dual degrees in Physics & Mathematics and History & Philosophy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln followed by an M.S. in Mathematics and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Oregon. He held teaching and research positions at the University of Oregon, Lane Community College, Lewis & Clark College, and McGill University. As a physicist, he contributed to major particle physics experiments including ATLAS at CERN, DZero at Fermilab, and BaBar at SLAC. As first author on many papers and a co-author on countless others, he played a key role in advancing scientific knowledge -- introducing new discoveries to the world through his research.
Chris lived in many places across the U.S. and abroad, including Montreal during his postdoc and Geneva while working at CERN. When his children were young, he returned to Eugene to raise his family and reconnect with friends who were tough enough to play soccer in the rain -- a group he hadn't found abroad. He was a devoted father to Lyon and Atticus and was deeply proud of the young men they have become.
A celebration of life will be held on August 23, 2025, at Headquarters Winery, 325 W 4th Ave, Eugene, Oregon 97401 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
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Memories and Condolences
for Christopher Potter
Sponsored by Andreason's Cremation & Burial Service.
4 Entries
Darrell Jones
August 5, 2025
Chris, great to have known you and play with you on several teams. Many memories. Splendid guy, great teammate. RIP
Chelsea Biondolillo
July 22, 2025
In addition to his 2 boys, whom he loved fiercely and completely, and playing soccer every week, Chris also loved REM, IPAs, Wes Anderson films, astronomy, kimchi jiggae, a good cheese board, putting up Christmas lights, a cold dunk in a pool on a hot day, and wearing flip flops in nearly any kind of weather. He could deftly move between curmudgeonly complaining about leaf blowers one moment to making silly puns over a game of chess the next. He proclaimed, but never demonstrated, an ability to juggle. His teacher-voice was top-notch, and his teaching, stellar. He read widely and voraciously, loved to work at a table outside when weather permitted, and remained stubbornly modest about his extremely green thumb. While he seemed to be good at everything he ever attempted, his prowess did not extend to dancing, singing, or tolerating labyrinthine bureaucracies. His warmth and profound love for humanity, and the arts and sciences that propel us all forward, will be deeply and sorely missed.
Michael Roney, BaBar Spokesperson
July 22, 2025
Chris was a highly valued member of the BaBar Collaboration and made important contributions to the field of particle physics. He was a wonderful colleague and friend to many in the field. I extend my deepest condolences to Chris' family at this devastating time.
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