Harold David Potter, 85, of 220 Mountain Road, Norfolk, Conn., died on July 14, 2016, in his home. He was the loving husband of Elizabeth Stone Potter.

David was born on February 19, 1931 to Harold Lee Potter and Barbara Clyne Potter of Boise, Idaho. After receiving his early education through the Boise public school system, and developing what would prove to be a lifelong affection for downhill skiing and fly-fishing, he attended Phillips Exeter Academy from 1947–1949. Graduating from Exeter he entered Harvard College, where he concentrated in German and Greek, graduating Magna cum laud in 1953. Upon graduation he married Elizabeth Stone, daughter of Ralph and Elizabeth Stone, and began active service as a second lieutenant in the US Marine Corps, serving in Korea and Japan.

Photo of David Potter in the 1960s courtesy of the Potter family.

Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1955, he entered Harvard Law School, graduating in 1958. Admitted to the bar in New York State in 1959, he began a long and distinguished legal career by joining the firm of Debevoise, Plimpton, Lyons & Gates (now Debevoise & Plimpton), with which he remained until becoming a partner with the firm of Appleton, Rice & Perrin in 1968. Leaving Appleton in 1972, he joined Newmont Mining Corporation, filling a wide range of legal roles within the company and earning recognition from the American Law Institute. He played important roles for the company in its Namibian and South African operations, and was the company’s point person during the great Carlin Gold Robbery of 1974. Electing to remain in New York when Newmont transferred its headquarters to Denver, he joined the firm of Tofel, Berelson & Saxl as a partner and was later of counsel with Baker, Nelson & Williams. He loved his many friends and activities in New York, where he was a member of the Racquet and Tennis Club, the Knickerbocker Club and Squadron A. A voracious reader, he had also been drawn to Norfolk Connecticut, where he enjoyed many strong literary and intellectual friendships, and his wife Elizabeth played an active role in the community. They retired to Norfolk.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, two sons, David (Ellen) and Nicholas (Lee) and five grandchildren, Claire, Natalie, Arthur, Lila and Nina.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Transfiguration in Norfolk on August 20 at 11:00 AM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Salisbury Visiting Nurse Association, 1 Low Rd., Sharon CT 06069.