Robert Everett Potts

Dr. Robert Everett Potts, age 84, passed away in Columbus, Ohio. He was born April 27th, 1931in Knoxville, Iowa, son of Harley and Fanchen Vance. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Carol, son, Robert E. Potts II (Rob) of Orlando, FL; daughter, Elizabeth Ann Potts (Beth) of Columbus, OH; daughter, Mary Christina Potts (Tina) of Nashville, TN; grandsons, Benjamin Anderson and Michael Anderson. He spent 18 months in Korea (1950-1952). He served in the Army Signal Corps from 1948 to 1952. He spent 18 months in Korea (1950-1952). He graduated from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music with a BFA in Broadcast Communications and a Voice Minor. He worked as a TV director for WKRN-TV, WCPO-TV and WCET-TV all in Cincinnati. He helped put WCET on the air. Following his graduation in 1955, he moved to Pittsburgh and joined the staff of WQED-TV where he directed Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. In 1958 he joined the staff of WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh as Executive Producer-Director (he helped to put this station on air). He was a guest soloist with the Riverside Church, New York City, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. He recorded many popular records for "18 Top Tunes" a local Cincinnati record company. In 1965 he moved with his young family to Grand Rapids, MI where he was Director of Educational Communications at Grand Valley State College. He was responsible for building the first dial access audio and TV system in the country. In 1967 he moved to Columbus, Ohio where for 22 years he was with The Ohio State University College of Medicine as Director of the Medical Audio Visual and Television Center. This was the model for other schools across the country. He assisted in the design of similar systems at the University of Cincinnati Medical School, the Medical College of Ohio, Northeastern Medical School, Wright State University, and Howard Medical School (Washington D.C.). In 1973 he received his Ph.D. in Educational Communications from The Ohio State University. After retiring from OSU in 1989, he worked as Director of Development for the Heinzerling Foundation until 1992. He served as Director of Continuing Medical Education at Doctor's Hospital. He designed the first Direct- 2-Way Tele-Medicine conferencing system between 14 hospitals in the state of Ohio. He retired from Doctor's Hospital in 2000. He was an Elder, a Certified Lay Pastor in the Presbyterian Church as well as a 32nd degree Mason. He was a baritone soloist at Norwood Presbyterian Church (Cincinnati), Beulah Presbyterian Church (Pittsburg), Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Community Church, Overbrook Presbyterian Church, and Bethel Presbyterian Church (all in Columbus, OH). For 45 years he was a featured soloist for Vaud-Villities. He produced and directed the show for 15 years. Calling hours will be held Monday, February 29, 2016, from 3-6pm at Bethel Presbyterian Church. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2016 from 3-4pm at Bethel Presbyterian Church, followed by a short reception in the Church Fellowship hall. The Dr. Jerry Kasberg will officiate. Arrangements by Schoedinger Northwest Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Central Ohio Chapter, 1379 Dublin Rd., Columbus, Ohio 43215. To share memories or condolences, please visit www.schoedinger.com.