- Date Of Birth: December 9, 1927
- Date Of Death: May 20, 2017
- State: Iowa
Alan Gordon Potter, 89, of Milford, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2017, at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake. Formerly of Okoboji, Alan grew up in Fort Dodge. Alan was born December 9, 1927, to Delbert and Helen (Schwab) Potter in Algona.
Six months later the family moved to Fort Dodge where Alan attended school, graduating from Fort Dodge High in 1945. That year Alan played quarterback for the Football team which was a state champion. He went on to study marketing at the University of Nebraska where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. This marked the beginning of his life-long following of Cornhusker football. His avid interest in sports also kept him tuned to the New York Yankees and for a time, a New York Giants season ticket holder. He had a passion for Jazz and first-love loyalty to the Big Band sound.
On February 17, 1951, Alan married Ann Crawford of Omaha, NE in her home city. Soon thereafter he served his country in the US Army. Following his time in the Army Alan began work with IBM in Omaha, NE in 1952. In sales and marketing for the company, he received promotions and moved with his family to Maryland, and back to Lincoln before a transfer to the headquarters in Armonk, NY. His career work kept him in the New York area until his election to take early retirement in 1984. One of his most significant areas of work involved the development of marketing programs for the scanners that are still in use in retail, beginning in the early 70s. After six more years in computer-related work, he retired again, only to begin work in custom home building. He worked several more years with Better Home Builders, near home in Fairfield County CT. His lifelong interest in finishing carpentry became his regular work. In 2000 he and Ann moved back to the Midwest to a family home in Okoboji. Here he enjoyed annual visits from his children, grandchildren, and regular family visitors. He enjoyed boating and the social activity of the Okoboji Yacht Club. He continued to do woodworking and gradually became involved in several community organizations.
In later years he became active in “Meals on Wheels,” where bringing ready humor and personality to this noble service especially suited his nature. Alan is survived by his wife Ann Potter of Milford; son Stuart Potter of Saint Paul, MN; daughters Mary (Gary) Montanus of New Canaan, CT and Bonita Springs, FL, and Janet (John) Webb of Thousand Oaks, CA; and 9 grandchildren: Emily, Claire, Ellen, Edward, Lexi, Laura, Dana, Corey, and Grant.
He is preceded by his parents, and brother, John.
