Obituaries

Judge Potter, a man of deep humility, integrity and courage was devoted to his family and is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Kathleen, his son, Robert D. Potter, Jr. and his two daughters, Mary Summa and Ann Gleason as well as their husbands, Philip Summa and Robert J. Gleason and nine Grandchildren, Philip Daniel Summa, Mary Catherine Summa, Sarah Summa, Rachel Summa and Rebekah Summa, Robert Potter Gleason, John Gleason, Patrick Gleason and Moira Gleason, all of Charlotte.  He is also survived by his niece Mary Joan Morris and her husband.

Following service as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1944 through 1946, Judge Potter graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Duke University in 1947 and then Duke University Law School.  In 1950 he began the practice of law in Charlotte.  After 5 years in partnership with B. Irvin Boyle, Judge Potter opened a law office as a sole practitioner in Charlotte which he continued until he became a judge in 1981.

Judge Potter believed that representative government would only function if average citizens were willing to serve in public office.  In keeping with that belief, in 1966 Judge Potter ran for and was elected to the Mecklenburg County Commission.  That year he became one of a group of the first Republicans to be elected to the Commission in Mecklenburg County since Reconstruction.  He served until 1968 when he decided not to seek another term in order to spend more time with his family.  Upon the recommendation of United States Senator Jesse Helms, in 1981 President Ronald Reagan appointed him as a United States District Judge for the Western District of North Carolina.  He later served for many years as Chief United States District Court Judge.  Judge Potter was the first Roman Catholic to hold that office in North Carolina in the past century.  Judge Potter served until December 31, 2000.

He was active in public life.  He served as president of the Myers Park Civitan Club, and as a Board Member of Mercy Hospital and Christendom College.  He was a long time Member of the Charlotte City Club. Judge Potter received many honors and awards.  Pope John Paul II conferred the Benemerinte Medal for distinguished Christian service upon him in 1982.  He received the Pro Deo et Patria Medal from Christendom College in 1990.  Governor James G. Martin conferred the Order of the Long Leaf Pine upon him in 1991.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Sacred Heart College.  He was a Knight of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. 

A Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.  The family will receive friends at the Cathedral Family Life Center following the Rosary.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Father Christopher Roux, Father Mark Lawlor, Father Kieran Nielson, O.S.B., Father David Kessinger, O.S.B., Father John Hopkins, L.C. and Father Edmund McCaffrey with a reception immediately following the Mass at the Cathedral Family Life Center.  Internment will follow at Belmont Abbey Cemetery, Belmont, NC.

Active pallbearers will be his law clerks.

Memorials may be made to Christendom College, 134 Christendom Dr., Front Royal VA, 22630, or St. Patrick’s Cathedral, 1621 Dilworth Road East, Charlotte, NC  28203.  J.B. Tallent Funeral Service is serving the family of Judge Potter.