Robert A. Potter (Bob) was born on February 14, 1928, to Noah Henry and Mabel Inez Elizabeth Potter and died at Atlantic Shores Retirement Center on November 30, 2023, where he was lovingly cared for by the staff and frequently visited by his children and their children and grandchildren.

He was born in Inman, Kansas, but lived in Kansas, Colorado, California, Hawaii and several locations from transfers in the United States Navy. He lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he retired from the Navy September 1, 1976, as a LCDR.

On January 9,1948 he married his childhood sweetheart, E. Morene Seyfrit, who pre-deceased him in March of 2011. They had seven children.

Bob was stationed primarily on submarines, as well as some squadrons, a sub tender, and at Dam Neck, Virginia as an instructor at the initiation of Nuclear-powered submarines. He was very proud of his service in the United States Navy.  Bob was also very respected by his peers and those who worked under him. He was a "Mustang". A Mustang is a military officer who started at the very bottom of the enlisted ranks and worked his way up through every single rate all the way to the highest enlisted pay grade, which was Chief at the time he was in the Navy. After that he went on to become a limited duty officer, or LDO, in the Navy, starting out as an ensign, and working his way all the way up to lieutenant commander, which was his rank when he retired. Because he had gone through all of those steps in the military, all of those who worked with him, and under him, respected him deeply, because they knew, that he knew, exactly what they had gone through and were going through.    Bob requested to be buried in full dress uniform.

Dad and Mom both considered their own kids, and all spouses and in-laws as family. As a result, when children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are mentioned, all are counted.

Bob will be missed by so many, most especially his children: Victoria Sefranek and spouse George, Robert A. Potter II, Marjorie L. Casey and spouse Clifford G., William O. Potter and wife Kriss, Thomas A. Potter and wife Cindi, James B. Potter and wife Renee, Mary L. Voll and husband Bill; grandchildren, (24 ) Mary, Joe and spouse, Millie, and John Sefranek,  Tonya Hughson, Cliff and Jeannine and Joe and Daisy Casey, Regina Potter and Joe Coslett and wife Brigitte, Melissa Polson, Crystal Meerendonk and spouse Ken, Heidi and spouse Jim Barker, Rebecca, Alicia, and Lindsey Potter, and Kyle, Corey and spouse Brandi and Ryan Voll; great-grandchildren: (21) Leandro Sefranek and Harmony, Caleb and Michael Sefranek, Connor Herman, Jenna David and Colin Gaytan, Jorie Lee Casey, Audriana, Alejandro and Alyssa Casey,  Faith Coslett, Jake and Caroline Polson, Hudson and Willow Meerendonk, and Madysen and Reagan Barker, and Alana, Halee, and Natalia Voll; and four great-great-grandchildren, Caylee and Isable Gaytan and Juliana an Addison David.

He was preceded in death by three sisters.

Parish Rosary will be 10:00 a.m. December 12, 2023, with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 211 E. 5th Avenue, Hutchinson, with Father Matt Glazier officiating.  Burial will follow in McPherson City Cemetery, with Father Benjamin Shockey officiating.  Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard.  The family will greet friends from 9:00 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to St. Teresa Catholic Church, Hutchinson or St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Virginia Beach, VA.  Memorials, condolences and flowers may be sent to the Potter Family, in care of the Elliott Funeral Home, 1219 N. Main St., Hutchinson, KS 67501.

The Mass will be livestreamed on St. Teresa Parish website, saintteresahutchinson.com - their YouTube Channel.