In Memoriam: Tom Potterfield
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the untimely passing of our dear President, Tom Potterfield. After gracefully enduring a prolonged and difficult battle with pancreatic cancer, Tom passed away on Tuesday, August 10th, with his beloved family - wife Donna and daughter Kate – by his side. He was 56, and was taken from us far too soon.
From the moment he arrived at ITP, Tom gave of himself with passion and generosity. His love of ITP lifted us all.
We are blessed to have known Tom. He was a role model for how to be and how to love, and was a great gift to ITP and to all those whose lives he touched. His presence, his friendship, his wisdom, heart, humor, and leadership will be sorely missed. Thanks to Tom, ITP is secure and thriving.
To honor the memory of Tom, and create a living legacy of his desire to foster wisdom, health and wholeness among individuals, families, organizations and communities around the world, ITP is renaming its Diversity Scholarship Fund the Tom Potterfield Diversity Scholarship Fund.
Tom's Memorial Service (and celebration of his life) was on Saturday August 21st.
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Tom be made to ITP for the Tom Potterfield Diversity Scholarship Fund.
To share your memories and leave notes for the family, create a login at Caring Bridge. Condolence cards may be mailed to the Potterfield family at: Star Route, Box 24, Woodside, CA 94062.
Tom Potterfield was born on June 21, 1954, in Staten Island, NY. Though he left the New York area in his late 30s, his family and home were never far from his heart. This included his Yankees and Knicks, two teams that brought him great joy-and frustration-during his final weeks. In New York, he also met the love of his life, Donna, in the elevator of their apartment building. He liked to joke that their relationship had its ups and downs. In 1981, they welcomed their daughter, Kate, and all three were best friends from the start. Tom also felt deeply fortunate to have so many dear friends throughout his 56 years.
Tom began his career in marketing and advertising, and with associates, he opened an advertising agency in Manhattan in the 1980s. He eventually made his way to Velcro USA, where he rose through the ranks to the position of President.
Tom found great peace in his spiritual practice as well as in the company of his canine companions. Though he often quoted Mark Twain that "Golf is a good walk spoiled," he loved the challenge of a day on the links and especially enjoyed the solitude of an early morning game.
While working in the corporate world, Tom earned his PhD from Saybrook University, where he studied Critical Theory and Engaged Spirituality. After graduating, he published The Business of Employee Empowerment, and upon retiring from Velcro, he taught at Southern New Hampshire University. Finally, in 2007, he found his dream job as President of the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Here, he finally felt at home.
For Tom, working at ITP was a calling and a spiritual practice. His loving spirit unified the community and empowered its members to work together. During the three short years that Tom was at ITP, he articulated the mission and vision of the school in a vibrant new way, developed a thriving strategic plan, and established new programs that are bringing ITP a higher level of sustainability.
The Diversity Scholarship and the Community Center for Health & Wellness were both born of Tom's visionary leadership and deep desire for ITP to play as large a role as possible in fostering wisdom, health and wholeness among individuals, families, organizations and societies around the world.
