Don Potter

I have hiked a couple of times with John, as most of us have--including that memorable 2,000th peak near Enumclaw a couple of years ago, when many friends and family joined together in celebration.  But I have the privilege of knowing John in a combined manner that few others have, both as a hiker but also as a fellow physician at our clinic, the Eastside Primary Care Clinic at Group Health Cooperative.  I have the chance to speak with John a couple of times a week, sometimes about medicine, but more often about the mountains.

Often, I just receive inspiration form John, to get out and see the wonderful world above us.  I do a lot of "virtual hiking" with his write ups in Pack and Paddle , and other e-mail reports.  Often I review the maps and enjoy following the route.

Another interesting sideline of John's is to contribute his knowledge and suggestions to the Washington State Board of Geographic Names.  Only a person with a mind for details can be a witness for an insignificant "knob," or small stream, or un-named ridge, with such accuracy and knowledge.  Can anyone else come up with the list of all the features in the state with the name of  Squaw, or Breast, or any other named feature as accurately as John?

So, John, I hope I can crawl to the top of your 5,000th peak with you!  You're an inspiration to us all.

Don Potter

Copyright 2004, John W. Roper. All Rights Reserved.