Norm Potter Remembered...

By Clark Purdy '50

Norm in my many years exemplified the true spirit of Delta Sigma Phi better then anyone with whom I have been acquainted. While he did not flaunt the fraternity to outsiders, through his actions he demonstrated the camaraderie with fellow brothers by contacting them personally in his frequent travels in their many, many locations spread all over the United States. He did not forget families of deceased brothers and would continue to stay in contact with their widows etc. If needs developed that he could bring some assistance, he would get involved. One would never know when Norm would show up at the door as did many brothers, but I hasten to say my wife and I were always pleased.

Norm began publishing a news letter (at his expense) in the mid '70s where he compiled letters that he had received from the many brothers recapping their lives and experiences. This was a very laborious task and which he did twice a year to approximately 500 brothers. Bette and I have a summer home at Higgins Lake in Northern Michigan thus giving me close proximity to Norm in Cadillac, Michigan. This permitted me to help Norm when he developed the idea for annual summer reunions bringing together as many Alpha Pi brothers as possible in the early '80's. Not only for friendship and merriment but also with chapter and national representatives in attendance, attendees were made aware of the current progress of the fraternity and chapter. Just prior to Norms death at 76, he commenced Florida reunions for Brothers vacationing in the area while he was teaching deep sea diving in a small island in the Bahamas during the winter months.

Norm was something of a free spirit since he lost his wife many years ago and never remarried - his vocation was primarily in the food business having spent much of his career managing dormitories at Western Michigan, Michigan State, managing the Cadillac Country Club, operating a restaurant in Lake City and ending his career at the Four Winns Boat Company in Cadillac, Michigan where he established and operated exclusively all the restaurants that existed in the companies facilities. They became very successful and accomplished for the company tremendous relationships with the employees, including putting on their annual company family picnics.