Thursday, June 7, 2012

Here & There Column 6-5-12


 God Must Have Needed A Sports Editor

  Shocked and greatly saddened as we all are at the sudden death of my friend and fellow photo-journalist (Sullivan County Democrat Sports Editor) Rob Potter at the young, young age of 38.
  Rob went into the hospital several weeks ago for tests and evaluations for what we were told were stomach problems. Tests suggested chemo and that sort of takes the guess work away from what he could have been fighting. He went home to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ last Tuesday May 29. 
  Rob was a very religious man, always spoke with a soft voice and was one of the most knowledgeable journalist and sports editors I have ever had the pleasure to work with. He was dedicated in doing what he did......sometimes not an easy job to provide the coverage that a sports writer is faced with on a daily and weekly basis. From every school district in the county to  sectional and state championship events Rob was there giving the coverage he know his readers would be looking for.  
  He possessed strong work ethics, outstanding journalism skills and was a very good photographer.
  Overall he was just fun and enjoyable to be around.
  Rob sort of came from the old school of journalism and still used a pen and a pad to keep notes not like today's modern photo-journalist who  take their notes by talking into a digital voice recorder.
  Over the years Rob related to me about concerns he had with his dad living alone and how relieved he was when dad was able to move into a Veteran's Home where Rob visited with him often......whenever I talked with him we always had a conversation about his dad.
  We always kidded each other about our favorite baseball teams as he was an avid Yankee fan and me a Mets fan.
  Just this past winter I bowled with a gentleman in Hancock by the name of Marty Haeussler and since Rob was originally from the Hancock area I asked Marty if he knew Rob. 
  Marty chuckled and said of course he knew Rob as Rob had worked for Marty in his younger years at a Pennsylvania school district where Marty was the head custodian.
  "We called him "Clutch" back then Marty noted to me and he pointed out that when Rob drove the small tractor the school used he at times forgot to use the clutch so Marty always had to yell out "Clutch, Clutch."
  The very next day I called Rob and asked "is this Clutch?" He chuckled with the type of laugh we always enjoyed hearing from Rob and he said, "you must have been talking with Marty Haeussler."
  Many times in the past several months I would call him for something and ask if I was talking to "Clutch." 
  So many great times I've had with Rob but now we must all remember to hold deeply in our hears the fond memories of this wonderful man with the God given talents to be the journalist and sport editor he was.
  Rob served the Sullivan County Democrat as their Sports Editor for the past 10 and 1/2  years. 
  When I called the newspaper Tuesday to ask about Rob, Business Manager Sue Owens related to me that she hated to be the bearer of bad news and that Rob had passed away that very day.
  Sue gave me the heading for this column when she said "God Must Have Needed A Sport Editor."

       
                                          
Photo Identification

The late Rob Potter doing what he did best with pen, pad and camera in hand.

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