Richard Welch Potter

Richard Welch Potter died on September 5, 2016 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina, closing the final chapter of an adventure-filled life. Born in Bryan, Texas on June 11,1948 and adopted by Dr. and Mrs. James and Dorothy Potter, he spent his childhood exploring Texas cow country and getting into minor mischief. He graduated from San Angelo State University with a degree in Chemistry in 1971 and moved to Raleigh in the mid 1970s. Richard’s background in chemistry led him to employment at Almay Cosmetics in Apex, Walter Kidde in Mebane and Wake Forest, and Glaxo in RTP, all in various aspects of purchasing.

While still young, Richard opted to take an early retirement so he could pursue the activities he enjoyed most: volunteer work, travel, spending time with family and friends, and spiritual growth. He volunteered for several years with Hospice of North Carolina and enjoyed his affiliation with the Human Kindness Foundation. He spent many afternoons working and gathering vegetables and flowers in other folks’ gardens - usually with their knowledge. His early retirement period left the family free to spend summers away from Raleigh while the girls were young, including extended time in Florida, Montana, and upstate New York.

In keeping with the spirit of giving back to the community, he went back to school at the age of 54 to earn a nursing degree. At the graduation ceremony, he was presented by unanimous acclamation with the highest and most prestigious award given by the school: Class Clown. He was employed as a nurse for several years before getting back to the serious business of being retired.

Throughout his life, travel and exploration were important pursuits. At our best count, he visited 40 out of the 50 states (including at least one non-Continental one). While he did plenty of solo travel (like annual trips to Panama), some of his most memorable and enjoyable trips were ones he took with family: Spain with Grayson, Nepal with Lake, Argentina with Susan. Richard had plans for an upcoming trip to India and the Sera Je Monastery that, sadly, he had to cancel due to his illness.

An important part of Richard’s life was his participation at the Kadampa Center in Raleigh. Through the Center, he met many of his closest friends as well as his friend, teacher, and spiritual guide, Geshe Gelek.

Richard is survived by his wife Susan of 32 years and his daughters, Elizabeth Lake and Grayson Ann, both of the Washington, DC area. He will be missed by family and friends.

Visitation is at Brown-Wynne at 300 St Mary’s Street in Raleigh on Saturday, September 10 from 4 to 6 pm.

Flowers are welcome and donations can be made to the Kadampa Center in Raleigh (http://kadampa-center.org/ ), Christmount in Black Mountain (christmount.com) or, at Richard's suggestion, please practice generosity to the organization of your choice.

As a final note, Richard contends that he, not Arnold Palmer, invented the half lemonade/half sweet tea drink.