Richard Frederick "Rick" Potash
Richard Frederick "Rick" Potash
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After graduating proficient in Russian from the Defense Foreign Language Institute in Monterey, Rick served in the military overseas.
Rick spent 10 years in the corporate sphere with Bank of America and Apple Computer while living in San Francisco, CA. Upon his return to Massachusetts, he found his calling as a gifted high school teacher and coach. In addition to teaching AP English literature and drama, Rick coached girls' basketball. His deep caring and mentorship beyond the classroom has had a lasting effect on the lives of his students. Rick was active in youth sports, serving as President of the Northboro, MA Baseball Association and as a coach and umpire. He enjoyed playing golf and at 60, upon moving to Vermont, he took up horseback riding.
While Rick's love of travel took him all over the world, his greatest love was Southern Africa. He and his wife Jill travelled there regularly for many years, experiencing the magic of the African bush. Their frequent, life-changing encounters with the sub-Saharan wildlife and the education they received about conservation are captured in the couple's matching elephant and rhino tattoos.
Rick is survived by his beloved wife, Jill Marion Potash and his children Elizabeth and daughter Shoshana; Daniel, his wife Alessandra and children Michael, Thomas and Giuliana; his brother Stephen Potash and his wife Ellen, niece Rachel and nephew Jacob; and his step-son Michael, his wife Karen and children Liam and Caoimhe. Extended family members and countless friends are touched by his loss. A celebration of Rick's life will be held at The Abby in Enosburg Falls on 17 July from 2-4PM.
Memorial contributions in Rick's memory may be made to your favorite charity. Please visit awrfhc.com to share your memories and condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
Connor Gibson
June 18, 2025
I was a student in Rick's AP English class at BFA Fairfax in 2006. It was such a wonderful experience. His excellent teaching is proven by how much I still remember from that class almost two decades later. I think about it frequently.
He was the first teacher I remember saying to us, as seniors, 'I'm am going to teach this class like a college course." Indeed, his class was better than many of my actual college courses in the years that followed. He spoke to us as adults. He prompted critical thought. He organized a talk between soon-to-graduate seniors and young college alum, leaving the room completely to allow the high schoolers to have an honest and confidential conversation (shocking to some extent, but one of the most genuine conversations I ever had in that building).
He allowed us to influence the curriculum. It's amazing to me that we wound up reading The Red Tent as the request of students. That may have been one of the only--maybe the only--book with entirely female lead characters that I read in school. It's one of the best books I've read.
Rick and Jill hosted a party for students, complete with cookies and tea, giving an unusual opportunity for students and teacher to bond as people outside of the classroom. I don't think Rick appreciated artificial institutional boundaries, even though he recognized his responsibility as an adult.
These authentic gestures of respect were unprecedented. He was responsible and professional. He was serious and easygoing. He was humorous and he was passionate. My life is better as a result of his service and compassion.
I didn't know Rick's background until now. I see that he chose a less lucrative career, when he moved from the tech world to teaching, which he obviously felt a true conviction for. As a beneficiary of that decision, I appreciate him so much.
Rest in peace, Mr. Potash. Thank you for the community you helped nurture, for the role you played in raising me. I offer condolences to Jill and the rest of your family.
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