Archived News 2013        Home

November 13, 2013:  Late Fall Luncheon at Route 7 Diner: A great turnout with 14 Pottermen and guests enjoyed lunch, fellowship, and discussed Potter archives at UAlb.  Geoff Williams, UAlb Archivist, discussed with us ways by which we can determine how to put web site info into the archives.  A suggestion to make a commemorative donation to the Potter Room was voted on and accepted.  More at a later date about the nature of the donation.  Pictures of the group are in the Photo Gallery (see link at the left) under the Albany Luncheons.  Attending by year: Ken Doran, `39; Bob Umholtz, `51; Art Batty, `52; Frank Ioele, `52; Joe Persico, `52 (accompanied by his cousin, Jim Vetro); Claude Palczak, `53; Paul Ward, `53; Peter McManus, `54; Jack Higham, `57; Fred Culbert, `65; Grant Downs, `68; Gerry Leggieri, `68; guest, Geoff Williams, UAlb Archivist.  On the sick list and unable to attend: Carlton Coulter, `35, recovering from a pacemaker implant; Jim Panton, `53; Milan Krchniak, `53.  Several others sent regrets.  Date for the next luncheon will be determined at a later date and will be posted here.  announcements will go out prior to that event, as usual.

September 24, 2013:  Fall Luncheon Held at New Location:  Six Pottermen assembled for the Fall Luncheon at the new venue.  Several regrets received, and a couple of "No-Shows."

  In the picture at left: Ken Doran, `39; Claude Palczak, `53; Milan Krchniak, `53.  Right picture: Milan; Paul Ward, `53; Waitress; Bob Umholz, `51; Doug Davis, `69.  Picture taken by Jack Higham, `57.  This venue gave us a private dining room with lots of opportunity for chatting without interruption. 
Click on each picture for a full view.

Plans were made for a late Fall Luncheon to be held Wednesday, November 13, 2013, at Noon.  At that time further discussion will be held about archiving our recent Alumni activity with UAlbany, especially electronic material from the web site, and a possible commemorative donation to the Edward Potter Room at Alumni House, suggested by Paul Ward.  An announcement will go out prior to the luncheon to all on the Luncheon contact list.  Be sure to respond if you plan to attend.  If you didn't receive notification about this luncheon and want to be added to the list, contact Jack.

September 14, 2013:  Fall Potter Luncheon to be held Tuesday, September 17, at Route 7 Diner, Latham (New Location).  Stay tuned for more info following the event.

In memoriam:  The following deaths were listed in the recent UAlbany Alumni Magazine.  Also listed was Robert Taber, `53, whose passing was listed here at the time of his death in 2009 (See Potter Archives for 2010). 
[N.B.  See the current list of all deceased Pottermen at the "In Memoriam" link at the left.]

Robert W. Bell, Class of 1952 (Obituary in The Morning Call)
Robert W. Bell, 82, of Bath, PA, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Largo, FL. Born on November 27, 1930, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Ada Bell. Robert was the husband of the late Elsie L. Bell, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, prior to her death in January. Robert had a long and illustrious career as manager of the Lehigh University Bookstore in Bethlehem. Prior to Lehigh, he was the bookstore manager at State University of New York at Albany and bookstore manager at American International College in Springfield, MA. He was actively involved in the college store industry for many years teaching numerous educational seminars and workshops and leaves a long and positive legacy as he was a mentor to many. He served on many regional and national industry committees and boards including being a founding member of the Middle Atlantic College Stores Association and serving as president in 1978 to 79 as well as trustee of the National Association of College Stores from 1975 to 1981 and president of NACS in 1980 to 81. He served in the U.S. Army. Robert was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath, where he sang on the choir for many years, was past treasurer and served on numerous other committees for the church. He was also a past member of the Bath Lions Club and the Bethlehem Kiwanis Club. Survivors: Brother-in-law, William Barth and his wife Nancy of Auburn, NY; nieces, Lorraine Budlong, Jennifer Barth; nephews, Mark Bell, Matthew Barth and Christopher Barth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bell. Services: Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Bath, PA. Call, Monday, 6 to 7 p.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bartholomew Funeral Home, Bath. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobs memory may be made to St Johns Lutheran Church, 18014.

Robert W. Bell, 82,
Robert W. Bell, 82,
Robert W. Bell, 82, of Bath, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Largo, FL. Born on November 27, 1930, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Ada Bell. Robert was the husband of the late Elsie L. Bell, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, prior to her death in January. Robert had a long and illustrious career as manager of the Lehigh University Bookstore in Bethlehem. Prior to Lehigh, he was the bookstore manager at State University of New York at Albany and bookstore manager at American International College in Springfield, MA. He was actively involved in the college store industry for many years teaching numerous educational seminars and workshops and leaves a long and positive legacy as he was a mentor to many. He served on many regional and national industry committees and boards including being a founding member of the Middle Atlantic College Stores Association and serving as president in 1978 to 79 as well as trustee of the National Association of College Stores from 1975 to 1981 and president of NACS in 1980 to 81. He served in the U.S. Army. Robert was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath, where he sang on the choir for many years, was past treasurer and served on numerous other committees for the church. He was also a past member of the Bath Lions Club and the Bethlehem Kiwanis Club. Survivors: Brother-in-law, William Barth and his wife Nancy of Auburn, NY; nieces, Lorraine Budlong, Jennifer Barth; nephews, Mark Bell, Matthew Barth and Christopher Barth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bell. Services: Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Bath, PA. Call, Monday, 6 to 7 p.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bartholomew Funeral Home, Bath. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobs memory may be made to St Johns Lutheran Church, 18014.
Published in Morning Call on March 29, 201
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=robert-w-bell&pid=163910745&fhid=8464#fbLoggedOut
Robert W. Bell, 82, of Bath, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Largo, FL. Born on November 27, 1930, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Ada Bell. Robert was the husband of the late Elsie L. Bell, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, prior to her death in January. Robert had a long and illustrious career as manager of the Lehigh University Bookstore in Bethlehem. Prior to Lehigh, he was the bookstore manager at State University of New York at Albany and bookstore manager at American International College in Springfield, MA. He was actively involved in the college store industry for many years teaching numerous educational seminars and workshops and leaves a long and positive legacy as he was a mentor to many. He served on many regional and national industry committees and boards including being a founding member of the Middle Atlantic College Stores Association and serving as president in 1978 to 79 as well as trustee of the National Association of College Stores from 1975 to 1981 and president of NACS in 1980 to 81. He served in the U.S. Army. Robert was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath, where he sang on the choir for many years, was past treasurer and served on numerous other committees for the church. He was also a past member of the Bath Lions Club and the Bethlehem Kiwanis Club. Survivors: Brother-in-law, William Barth and his wife Nancy of Auburn, NY; nieces, Lorraine Budlong, Jennifer Barth; nephews, Mark Bell, Matthew Barth and Christopher Barth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bell. Services: Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Bath, PA. Call, Monday, 6 to 7 p.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bartholomew Funeral Home, Bath. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobs memory may be made to St Johns Lutheran Church, 18014.
Published in Morning Call on March 29, 201
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=robert-w-bell&pid=163910745&fhid=8464#fbLoggedOut
Robert W. Bell, 82, of Bath, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Largo, FL. Born on November 27, 1930, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Ada Bell. Robert was the husband of the late Elsie L. Bell, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, prior to her death in January. Robert had a long and illustrious career as manager of the Lehigh University Bookstore in Bethlehem. Prior to Lehigh, he was the bookstore manager at State University of New York at Albany and bookstore manager at American International College in Springfield, MA. He was actively involved in the college store industry for many years teaching numerous educational seminars and workshops and leaves a long and positive legacy as he was a mentor to many. He served on many regional and national industry committees and boards including being a founding member of the Middle Atlantic College Stores Association and serving as president in 1978 to 79 as well as trustee of the National Association of College Stores from 1975 to 1981 and president of NACS in 1980 to 81. He served in the U.S. Army. Robert was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath, where he sang on the choir for many years, was past treasurer and served on numerous other committees for the church. He was also a past member of the Bath Lions Club and the Bethlehem Kiwanis Club. Survivors: Brother-in-law, William Barth and his wife Nancy of Auburn, NY; nieces, Lorraine Budlong, Jennifer Barth; nephews, Mark Bell, Matthew Barth and Christopher Barth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bell. Services: Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Bath, PA. Call, Monday, 6 to 7 p.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bartholomew Funeral Home, Bath. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobs memory may be made to St Johns Lutheran Church, 18014.
Published in Morning Call on March 29, 201
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=robert-w-bell&pid=163910745&fhid=8464#fbLoggedOut
Robert W. Bell, 82, of Bath, passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2013 in Largo, FL. Born on November 27, 1930, in Amsterdam, NY, he was the son of the late Charles and Ada Bell. Robert was the husband of the late Elsie L. Bell, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, prior to her death in January. Robert had a long and illustrious career as manager of the Lehigh University Bookstore in Bethlehem. Prior to Lehigh, he was the bookstore manager at State University of New York at Albany and bookstore manager at American International College in Springfield, MA. He was actively involved in the college store industry for many years teaching numerous educational seminars and workshops and leaves a long and positive legacy as he was a mentor to many. He served on many regional and national industry committees and boards including being a founding member of the Middle Atlantic College Stores Association and serving as president in 1978 to 79 as well as trustee of the National Association of College Stores from 1975 to 1981 and president of NACS in 1980 to 81. He served in the U.S. Army. Robert was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, Bath, where he sang on the choir for many years, was past treasurer and served on numerous other committees for the church. He was also a past member of the Bath Lions Club and the Bethlehem Kiwanis Club. Survivors: Brother-in-law, William Barth and his wife Nancy of Auburn, NY; nieces, Lorraine Budlong, Jennifer Barth; nephews, Mark Bell, Matthew Barth and Christopher Barth. He was preceded in death by a brother, Earl Bell. Services: Memorial Service will be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 29, 2013 in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church, 206 E. Main St., Bath, PA. Call, Monday, 6 to 7 p.m. in the church. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Bartholomew Funeral Home, Bath. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Bobs memory may be made to St Johns Lutheran Church, 18014.
Published in Morning Call on March 29, 201
- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/mcall/obituary.aspx?n=robert-w-bell&pid=163910745&fhid=8464#fbLoggedOut

Norman Arnold, Class of 1940 (Obituary from Washington Post) 
Norman W. Arnold, 94, an engineer who retired in 1995 as a Washington-based private aviation consultant, died April 26, 2013, at home at Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg. He had heart ailments.  A daughter, Margaret Ostrove, confirmed his death.  Mr. Arnold opened his aviation consulting business in 1984, after having been a Federal Aviation Administration engineer for nine years. In 1980, he received an FAA commendation for outstanding service.

Norman William Arnold was born in Massena, N.Y. He graduated in 1940 from what now is the University at Albany, the State University of New York.  He worked at the Army’s Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland and for Burroughs, a manufacturer of business equipment, in Paoli, Pa., early in his career. He relocated to the Washington area in 1964 with TRW Systems and later was a consulting engineer in Washington and Miami with Howard Needles Tammen & Bergendoff.

Mr. Arnold did volunteer work at Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington and was a founding member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals.  He was a 30-year resident of McLean before moving to Asbury Methodist Village seven years ago.  Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Margaret Cherry Arnold of Asbury Methodist Village; four children, Cherry A. Fuller of New Castle, Del., N. William Arnold of Batesburg, S.C., Margaret A. Ostrove of Brick, N.J., and Stephen W. Arnold of Mexico, N.Y.; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

June 29, 2013: The obituary below for Harry Johnson, `51, was forwarded by Paul Ward.  He was alerted to Harry's passing by Hal Smith.

In Memoriam: JOHNSON - Harold R. Of Akron, NY, entered into rest peacefully June 27, 2013, loving husband of 61 years to Kathryn (Loucks) Johnson; dear father of Cynthia (late Matthew) Kenealy and the late Bruce Johnson and Diane (William Dixon) Johnson; cherished grandfather of Matthew and Kathryn Kenealy; brother of Kenneth (late Elizabeth) Johnson, Eleanor (Everett) King and the late Carl Johnson; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Sunday 2-4 and 6-8 PM in the CHILDS FUNERAL HOME, LLC, 10 Eckerson Ave., Akron. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11 AM in the First United Methodist Church, 7 Church St., Akron. Flowers gratefully declined. Memorials in Harold's memory would be appreciated by the family to Hearts and Hands Faith in Action, 50 John St., Akron, NY or Roswell Park Cancer Institute. http://www.childsfuneralhomeofakron.com/harold%20r%20johnson.html  
Published in the Buffalo News on June 29, 2013.

April 25, 2013:  Potter Luncheon held Wed. April 17 at 76 Diner.
A good turn out for the Spring 2013 Luncheon.  Regrets received from many as a response to the paper mail and email invitations.  Most asked to be kept informed even though they might not be able to attend future gatherings.  Attending and pictured at the right clockwise from the bottom:  Frank McEvoy, `57; John Schneider, `65; Claude Palczak, `53; Art Batty, `52; Jim Panton, `53; Carlton Coulter, `35; Doug Davis, `69; Ken Doran, `39; Bob Umholtz, `51; Paul Ward, `53; Jack Higham, `57 (taking picture); Milan Krchniak, 53; Pete McManus, `54; and Fred Culbert, `65.  Click on the picture for a larger view.

Scenes from around the table.  Click on each for a larger view.  These pictures will eventually be moved to the Photo Gallery and will be in the Albany Luncheons album.
     
When asked his age, Carlton mused for a bit and said, "In six weeks (mid-May) he would be 99!"  Ken said he was 95.  Milan reported on communications from those sending regrets. 

Bob Sage, `55, responded with regrets and included the following message for EEPs.

Hey Guys.  Will still be far removed so won't make the scheduled get together.  Have a note, however, that may be of interest to Club members who are aviation buffs, may be interested, and/or are snow birds who may be traveling up and down the east coast. 

On May 18th and 19th here in Virginia Beach the Military Aviation Museum is holding our annual "Warbirds Over the Beach" air show.  This museum is the world's largest collection of FLYABLE vintage aircraft, and this show features our WW II birds.  Highlight should be the appearance of the world's only airworthy "Mosquito" fighter/bomber from the UK's Royal Air Force.  Folks coming from all over the world to see that beauty in the air. 

When I use the presumptive "our" Museum, I'm a volunteer docent at the Museum, and have been involved for 4 years now.  If any of the guys should make it down this way for the show, (or at any time for that matter!) would be more than happy to give one and all a personal guided tour!  Anyone can just drop me a note on their schedule and we'll make it happen.  Also, recommend checking out the "Military Aviation Museum" web site to see what it is all about, and what is offered. [Editor's note:  Go to link at http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org/  ]

Best regards to all, and in Fellowship, Bob

Gerry Holzman, `54, also responded with regrets and included the following message about his new blog:

To my large family, my many friends and my two enemies,

Having  finally succumbed  to the twin demons of ego and technology, I have started a light-hearted weekly blog which will be updated every Monday.  The first post, about  teaching my dad how to carve, is contained within my new website:
  http://www.soundsofcarving.com

When you click on the link above,*** it should take you to the  website's home page which will explain everything.  However, in the interest of simplicity, I offer a brief summary of the blog's intent, and content, below:

It is NOT my intention to teach the reader how to carve.  It is my intention to comment generally about the quirkiness and unpredictability of life by  relating some unusual and sometimes humorous moments from my 43 years of chiseling and gouging.
 
I am doing this because I believe that we woodcarvers have some grand stories to share with the rest of the world.  And, by telling  a few  of my own stories, I hope to suggest some useful ideas for surviving, and even flourishing,  in this increasingly perplexing world
.


If you visit the website and like what you see there, I hope that you will return regularly and, equally important,  that you will forward this invitation to some friends who might enjoy the ramblings of an old chiseler. 

Thank you,    Gerry Holzman


PS: *** The various search engines--Google, Yahoo, et al.--won't pick up the website for a couple of weeks so if you have trouble reaching the site,  type it into the website search box, not the search engine box.  The formal address is:       http://www.soundsofcarving.com

Next Albany Luncheon (Fall 2013) scheduled for September 18, 2013.  Location tentative, to be announced later.

March 25, 2013:  Potter Albany Luncheon set for April 17, 2013 in Latham.  The word has gone out by email to about 42 guys and to about other 12 guys by paper mail... The next luncheon will be Wednesday, April 17, at the 76 Diner in Latham, NY.  Let Milan or me know by April 10, 2013, if you plan to attend.  If not attending, send along something to let us what you are up to these days.