Kenneth Potter

Kenneth Paul Potter left this Earth on January 21, 2025, after living over 100 wonderful years. His smile, sense of humor, and gentle spirit will be greatly missed by a great many people. 

 Ken was delivered by his grandfather, Dr. E.I. (Doc) Hinkle, in Goldsmith IN. He was the second of seven children born to William Newton and Edna Beryl (Hinkle) Potter, and grew up in Bloomington, Indiana. Upon graduation from Bloomington H.S., he joined the Army Air Corps, where he served until the end of WWII. He was always proud to say that his flying class was the last class of pilots to initially train on bi-planes.

 While a student at Indiana University, he majored in astronomy (something he got interested in while going through pilot training) and also met the love of his life, a dietetics major named Betty Hupe. They were married and had 63 wonderful years together, until her death in 2012. Ken's first full-time job was teaching at Mount Summit HS, where he was the math teacher, science teacher, librarian, and assistant basketball coach, all at the same time. After that, he moved on to Naval Avionics Facility in Indianapolis where his astronomy background in physics and math, as well as his experience flying planes, helped him work over 33 years as a mechanical engineer, designing guidance and navigation systems for US Navy Planes. 

 After joining at age 14, Ken was always involved with Boy Scouts. In Bloomington, he was eventually Asst. Scout Master of Troop 9. After the war, he was Scout Master of three troops: Troop 50 in Mount Summit, Troop 9 in Irvington, and then Troop 100 in Lawrence. He later served as liaison between Troop 100 and Lawrence United Methodist Church.

 Not surprisingly, he and his family traveled and camped all over the United States. After retirement, one of his great pleasures was taking Bible-based educational trips with his wife to Europe and the Holy Land and also traveling the U.S. and to Canada to visit children and grandchildren.

 Throughout the years, Ken served on numerous committees, both local and regional, within the community and the United Methodist Church. He was a member of Bloomington UMC, Irvington UMC, and for the last 65 years, Lawrence UMC. He especially enjoyed singing in church choir(s), which he did up until he has 91. 

 Ken was preceded in death by his wife Betty and grandson Mark Potter. He is survived by his children Beth (Charles) Titus, Ken (Gail) Potter, and Brenda Potter, as well as his grandchildren Jeremy (Kris) Bates, Aiyana (Nick) Nixon, Heather (Becky) Potter, Aaron (Molly) Potter, and Luke (Laura) Potter, and two great-grandchildren, Felix and Zadie Potter. 

 Ken's Celebration of Life service will be Saturday, Feb. 1st, at Lawrence United Methodist Church, with visitation starting at 10:00 AM, followed by an 11:00 AM service. Internment will be in Eaton, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Lawrence United Methodist Church (Missions), to the Fletcher Place Community Center (Indianapolis.), to the Indiana University Astronomy Department, or to Classical Music Indy.