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Terri Potter Obituary
Terri L. Potter
BONITA SPRINGS, FL - On February 20, 2022 we lost one of the good guys.
Terri L. Potter, 77, of Bonita Springs, FL, and formally of Madison, WI, passed away after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease. Terri was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, leader and patriot.
Terri was born in Waukegan, IL, to James and Arline Potter on September 9, 1944.
He attended Zion-Benton High School, class of 1962. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois in 1966, and Master of Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota in 1972.
Terri served in the United States Navy for four years and attended Navy Officer Candidate School. In 1967-68 he was aboard the U.S.S. Luzerne County (LST-902) which was permanently assigned to support river combatants in the MeKong River in South Vietnam. He was discharged a full Lieutenant.
After his military service Terri had a distinguished career in Health Care Administration.
He was CEO/President of Meriter Hospital, Madison, WI; Interim CEO of St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Junction, CO; Interim CEO of Richland Center Hospital, Richland Center, WI.
Terri was viewed as a leader of leaders. He was a member of many board of directors including the Morgridge Institute for Research, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce, US Bank Advisory Board, Wisconsin Hospital Association, Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association, and the Wisconsin Patient Safety Institute. He was also a member of the State of Wisconsin Governor's Business Council and several United Way of Dane County Campaign Cabinets.
In his retirement he enjoyed spending his winters in Florida, summers in Door County, WI, and time with family. Terri also loved photography, reading, travel, and attending Badger and Packer sporting events.
He is survived by his loving wife, Carla Wilson Potter; two daughters: Sarah (Eric) Persson of Oakhurst, CA, and Suzanne (Vincent) Formanek of Madison, WI; a son, Matthew (Catherine) Potter of Eden Prairie, MN; seven grandchildren, Amber, Aidan, Wyatt, Amelia, Lucy, Levi, and Ruby; two sisters: Andrea Rode and Sue Ann (John) Becker. He was dearly loved and will forever be in our hearts.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs, FL 34134. Inurnment will take place at a later date in Madison, WI.
To sign Terri's guest register or to leave online condolences, please visit www. ShikanyFuneralHome.
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned and Operated since 1978.
Memories and Condolences
for Terri Potter
Sponsored by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home.
Christopher Laurent
February 18, 2024
I worked at Meriter during its merger of Madison General and Methodist Hospitals - two organizations with very different cultures. I had a fellowship under his leadership and then had a position supporting materials management within surgery post-merger.
These were tricky times, but Terri always focused on people first - particularly the patients. He was an early advocate of continual improvement at a time when much of the industry was prone to victimization and righteousness.
Terri is one of the most powerful leaders I´ve ever had the privilege to work for.
It was great to catch up with him and Carla at an event in Madison a few years ago. Greater still to let someone know who didn´t know me that well how powerful just being good and focused on doing the right thing can have on others.
Peace and All Good to his family.
Yvonne Dahl
February 20, 2023
So sorry for your loss. I was fairly new to the business office at Meriter Hospital and worked the later shift. I knew who Mr Potter was but never really had the opportunity to speak to him until 1 evening he came into our office. He stated administration had received a patient complaint and wondered if I could review it with him. I of course said yes. He then sat with me while we reviewed the patients complaint. When we both had an understanding of what took place, I offered to reach out to the patient to explain. Mr Potter thanked me but said he understood what happened and he would reach back out the the patient. I will never forget how welcoming I felt just knowing he felt comfortable coming in to talk to someone directly and picked me. I was the newest staff member but he trusted me in way no other CEO has since then. My thoughts are with his family during this time. I do miss his leader ship.
Indiana, Ariane and Annika Strombom
March 11, 2022
We celebrate a life well-lived, Terri's generous spirit, the graciousness with which he enriched all interactions. Our family has the warmest memories of "Mr. Potter," built over a couple decades, of his wit, his ready laugh, his kindness. We honor his amazing gifts and the contributions he made not only to the Meriter family, patients, and the Madison community, but also as a nationally recognized healthcare leader. Our heart-felt condolences to Carla and family.
Indiana, Ariane and Annika Strombom
March 11, 2022
We celebrate a life well-lived, Terri's generous spirit, the graciousness with which he enriched all interactions. Our family has the warmest memories of "Mr. Potter," built over a couple of decades, of his wit, his ready laugh, his kindness. We honor Terri's amazing gifts and the contributions he made not only to the Meriter family, patients, and the Madison community, but also as a nationally recognized healthcare leader.
Our heart-felt condolences to Carla and family.
How you can show support
Tom Wallhaus
March 9, 2022
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. So proud to have worked with Terri and Carla at Meriter for so many years. What special people both of you are. You have been missed around here, for sure. I greatly appreciated Terri's leadership and kindness.
Tom
Brad and Susan Manning
March 9, 2022
Terri was indeed one of a kind. I was honored to have been able to have worked with Terri for many years. He was a visionary and an extraordinary healthcare leader.
Carla, We send our condolences to you and your family on Terri's passing and we are grateful for all that you did for Meriter as well .
Brad and Susan Manning
Joe Liggett
March 9, 2022
I am privileged to have worked with Terri for several years, as my CEO. He was always fair, kind and a compassionate leader. I am so glad I got to know him, as he has made a mark on me as a person. Truly a loss of a great one.
Mimi Levinson
March 7, 2022
Terri Potter always had a warm smile and hearty hello for anyone he passed in the hallways at Meriter. I think that legacy lives on. He will be missed.
Brook
March 4, 2022
I did not start working at Meriter until 2009, but even then Terri's influence was still present. Even today, people say such wonderful things about his leadership. My condolences to the family. Parkinson's takes so much, I hope you can think about the wonderful times.
Mary Burke & Steve Nicks
March 4, 2022
Carla, Our condolences to you and your family. We enjoyed Terri's charm and sense of humor each time we were together. He will be missed by many in Bonita Bay.
Mark Earll and Carolyn Nash
March 2, 2022
Our condolences and prayers for Carla and Terri´s family. We appreciated Terri´s leadership and friendship in our door county community.
Val Brickner
March 1, 2022
Carla and family,
Tim and I were so sorry to hear of Terri's passing. He was a wonderful man who cared about everyone who worked under him. He always had interesting ideas and I always enjoyed conversations with him. He truly loved his kids and they always came first, which was very endearing. May your happy memories, family and friends support you in your grief.
Steve and Sara Dankle
March 1, 2022
Our condolences to Carla and family. We will always have fond memories of Terri as our good neighbor in Door County.
Steve Disch
February 28, 2022
MY condolances . Terri was a warm kind individual
RIP
Carol Harm
February 28, 2022
My deepest sympathies on your loss. I always appreciated Terri as a caring man and leader. He will be missed by many.
Nancy Mayek
February 28, 2022
I worked with Terri for 13 years while at Meriter. He was an incredible leader, total class act, and someone I'll always remember for his sensibility. He cared about everyone he worked with. My condolences to the family. Thank you for sharing him with us.
Stephen E Dana
February 27, 2022
I worked at Madison General from 1978-1984. Terri was a warm approachable man of high integrity. I am very sorry to hear of his passing.
Kevin Hayden
February 27, 2022
Terri was a great person and mentor to many men and women in the profession of healthcare administration. His authentic personal style and charisma were always evident to anyone around him. WI has lost a great pioneer in healthcare administration ...his leadership shadow includes hundred of mentees that will carry on his extraordinary legacy.
Carla Stephani
February 27, 2022
My deepest sympathies to Carla and the family. Terri was always so kind and appreciative of all the hospital employees and always greeted us with a smile and a hello.
Nancy and Jesse Ishikawa
February 26, 2022
To the Potter family,
So sorry for your loss. We will miss him too.
Jac and Edye Garner
February 26, 2022
Carla and family,
Such heartbreaking news. Terri was a treasured friend and colleague. May his memory be a blessing to you and yours.
Jac and Edye
Peggy Ford
February 26, 2022
My condolences to Carla and family. For many years it was my honor to work with and alongside Terri. Those were very special years. RIP Terri.
Sharon Starkey
February 26, 2022
One can not say enough about the wonderful, personal leadership that Terri provided at Meriter. It was a true joy to work there when he was our CEO. Blessings to his family.
Therese Thompson
February 26, 2022
I was sad to see Terry Potter's Obit today. I knew him from working at Madison General/Meriter Hospital. I thought he was a Great CEO.
He treated his employees fairly and was very concerned about the patients.
My Condolences to his Family.
RIP Terry Potter
Bill Reay
February 26, 2022
Carla and family,
Very sorry to hear of Terri´s passing. He was truly an inspiration and visionary leader. He treated everyone with dignity and compassion. I will miss him as a friend, mentor and encourager. Take care and God bless. Terri´s memory will burn forever.
Barb Grubb Neis
February 26, 2022
My deepest sympathy to Carla and Family. Terri was a good man, he always had a kind word and was full of encouragement. I remember telling him that I was going to become a CNA after 18 years of working in the kitchen, and he congratulated me for trying to better myself. At the time it was what I needed to hear. May he rest in peace, he will be dearly missed.
Sincerely Barb
Dinah Thies
February 26, 2022
As a former employee of Meriter Hospital, I respected our wonderful CEO, Terri Potter. He always made us feel needed and worthy to be an employee at Meriter. I thoroughly enjoyed working at Meriter. My deepest sympathy & condolences to the family.
Kathy Laurent
February 26, 2022
I was a Meriter employee through the Terri Potter years. He led us through some difficult times. He was truly my hero. Carla, I so enjoyed our chats at the shop in Door County. You and your family are in my thoughts. Bless you all.
Luanne Jansen
February 26, 2022
Terri was a wonderful leader of Meriter Hospital for many years and so highly respected by so many. He made Meriter Home to many of the dedicated employees for many years. Hats off to a truly wonderful person.
Lois Fitzsimmons
February 26, 2022
Having worked at Madison General now Meriter for many years, Terri as CEO was sure to greet staff with a smile and acknowledgement. He was a caring leader.
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