MTFCA Forum

I received this information and the family wanted the information sent out to the organization. I will update as information on the services becomes available.

Kenny,
I received a call a half hour ago from Jane Cress telling me that Russ Potter passed away last night.
No arrangements as of yet.
She did say she wanted all the Model Ts that could come to the funeral as he had requested.
Terry Light will be taking his casket to the cemetery in his TT.
Would you please post this on our facebook page and send out a mass email.


I will keep you informed.

Ron

So sorry to hear about Mr. Potter's passing. The family will be in our prayers. He will surely be missed by the Model T community.

Our condolences to the Potter family. The Model T family will truly miss Russ.

The Spatto Family
Mohawk, NY

OMG...so sad. Prayers to his family and for the repose of his soul. Losing a lot of good ones. RIP Russ.

Very sad to see this. Rest in peace Russ.

Oh no ! What a wonderful, giving and encouraging man. I am so sorry to hear this and please pass along condolences to his supportive family.

Sorry to learn this sad news. Russ was very kind to share his knowledge and coach me in rebuilding my vaporizer when I called him for help. I encountered difficulty and couldn't get it running smoothly. I followed Russ's guidance and had it running well soon after. Wonderful role model for the Model T hobby.

Condolences to family and friends.

A great loss to all of us in the hobby. I am glad to hear he was passing his knowledge onto the next generation. I have a few of his carbs in stock and they just became more golden to me.

So very sorry for the whole Potter family.
Russ was a great friend and will be sorely missed.
Fly free Carbking.
You were a friend to many and helped so many along the way.
You’ve more than earned your wings my friend
I will miss you Russ!

My condolences to the Potter family.
I always made it a point to stop by his spot at Hershey each year. I have about a dozen rebuilt carbs, buying one or two each year. He will be dearly missed.

My prayers are with Mary and his family.

Sad to lose another titan of the Model T hobby.

So sorry to hear this . Russ was one of the good guy, a great friend and always a pleasure to be around. We always mad a point of getting together at Hershey for "refreshments" and to exchange stories. My sincere condolences to Mary and the rest of Russ's family. The T hobby will not be the same now. R.I.P buddy.

Godspeed Russ, I still have the 4 ball you rebuilt for me years ago. Thank you for your contributions to the hobby. Time to rest now.

My condolences to Mary and the Potter family.
Ron Patterson

I mentioned Russ's passing to my buddy who comes along with me on Speedster tours, (began by Russ). He had the following thoughts, which I think are worth sharing.

"At first I thought Russ’s passing was a bummer; then I realized that he can drive a T again without any pain and there are a lot of Model T guys up there."

I so agree with what Jerry and Dean said. May your speedster fly up the hill.

Mary and the family would like to thank everyone for all of your prayers and condolences. He will be greatly missed by so many. Attached are the details of his arrangements for all those that wish to attend:

Susnset Funeral Home
3940 N. Vermilion St.
Danville, IL. 61834
217-442-2874

The visitation is on Sunday March 10th from 2-4 PM and the funeral is scheduled for Monday the 11th at 10 AM.

Please feel free to bring your favorite Model T and help send him off in grand fashion!

Saddened to see this. We have known this was coming for quite some time now, but still sad to know it has happened.
Russ has been a major player and a fixture in this hobby for a very long time. He will be missed, and remembered for another long time.

So sad to hear of Russ’s passing. We have lost so many of the Model T greats and Russ was at the top of the list. He and I looked over some of the treasures that the MTFCA Museum inherited from Stan Howe,just a few months ago, and I was amazed at the knowledge Russ had about some really unique old carburetors. I should have written down what he told me. He will be sorely missed.

Russ, I just put your rebuilt Holley NH in my Model T Roadster. You and Potter's Piston Parlor will be missed!

Phil Jamison

Sorry to hear of the passing of Russ. He was an icon in this hobby and will surely be missed and remembered.

Obituary :

https://obituaries.sunsetfuneralhome.co ... ell-Potter

Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary and the family. I am so grateful that Russ passed along his knowledge to his son. He was truly one of the "GOOD" ones and will be sorely missed!! Russ Furstnow

Lots of good times over the years with Russ on tours and at auctions all over the United States. Once you meant him he was a personality you would never forget. I’m better person for have been able to call him a friend. Rest in peace.

Sorry to hear of this.

Very sad upon receiving this news. Russ was an inspiration to us all and a true gentleman. He will be missed indeed. Our prayers to his family for their loss.

Very sad for your loss, I knew Russ quite well and he will be missed, Bob & Connie Bergstadt

I've been sitting here all day kind of broke hearted... Russ was one of the rare few who understood our cars (and especially fuel systems) and could make them work. He was one of those rare individuals who would give anything that it took to get someone on the road, to suss out a gremlin no one else could suss, and ALWAYS have a quip, a smile in his voice, or a kind word. If you had a question, he would answer it freely, because to him, the hobby was number one, even thouugh it was also his "business".

I have a similar hobby - slash - business thing, and it was HIS guidance and inspiration that led me that way. He was, in a very real way, my inspiration for what I'm doing in my retirement, and I can only hope I can hold the line.

And now... he's gone. Damnit. Crap, I've been holding back tears, but I'm not sure I can keep doing that. Because while you weren't part of my "close social circle" (something I need to work on), you were, to me a HUGE inspiration... one of a few in this hobby... and, we... l... damnit, THANK YOU, Russ, for helping make me the crazed old mechanical repairer you did.

BTW - I still have questions, so someday, long from now, maybe you can answer a couple of them for me, Not that it will matter much, but yeah, you ARE one of the rare "answer-men" to whom I relied on...

See you on the other side, Russ... and untill then,, may all your starts be free ones!

Very, very sad to hear this. Definitely a top notch guy in my book. Had lots of candid conversations with Russ. Will miss him as my next door neighbor at Chickasha. Rest Well Mr. Potter.

My thoughts and prayers for the family. Always enjoyed visiting
With Russ and Mary at Homecoming in Richmond and was privileged to get to visit his piston parlor. RIP Russ

I was always proud to say I had a "Russ Potter" carb in my Model T. Having one of his rebuilts was equivalent to having the best available. I only got a chance to talk to him a few times but came away wiser from each conversation. He was truly one of the "great ones" of the Model T hobby and will be missed. My condolences to his family and all those mourning his loss.

Many years ago in California, one hot day, I was at work with the roll ups open and I noticed a guy wandering around out front. I took a second look and thought” That looks like Russ”. So I walked over to the door and yelled “Hey Potter!”. He turned and walked towards me and I said “Are you lost?” knowing he lives in Indiana. When he gets to me he says “I heard this is a pretty shady operation so I thought I’d take a look for myself”. He was actually at Lock-n-Stitch, which is two doors down from us, for a 3 day workshop. When they had a break he would come over and hangout with us and talk with all the employees .I bought quite a few carbs from Russ and all the cars I have now, have them on them. I will miss Russ as many of us will. My condolences to his family.

Our condolences to Russ' family and friends. Russ did so much for so many and will be greatly missed by all those his life touched. And he is still giving...from his obituary at: https://obituaries.sunsetfuneralhome.co ... ell-Potter it has:

"Memorials may be made in Russell’s memory to the Model T Ford Club of America, 310 N 8th Street Richmond, Indiana 47374 or on the internet at mtfca.com ."

He also did a great job of passing along the "Joy of T's" to others. Below is a photo of Russ and one of his Granddaughters, Joselyn with her speedster that he helped her build. (From: https://www.commercial-news.com/potters ... f5cd2.html )
He is still an inspiration to us.

Respectfully submitted,

Hap l9l5 cut off

Procession of T’s to the cemetery

Sad to hear, Russ and I shared a Birthday, amongst other things. He was a great guy and a even better T-guy. Hugs and prayers to the family.

Eric Sayer