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Jan Eric Peterson, ’98, was seventy-eight at his passing on August 14, 2022. Jan was known for his larger-than- life personality, his generosity, his willingness to help and support his colleagues, friends, and family. Jan earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University in 1966 and his law degree at the University of Washington Law School in 1969. After stints at the ACLU and OEO Le- gal Services, Jan co-founded his own firm in 1973 where he achieved record-breaking verdicts for his clients. As
Washington State Bar president, Jan’s mantra of “Proud to be a Lawyer” united lawyers on both the plaintiff and defense sides. Jan is survived by his wife of thirty-eight years, Margy Peterson, four children and a grandchild.
Charles Neal Pope, ’01, was eighty-three when he passed away on August 11, 2022 at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. Neal graduated from Auburn Uni- versity in 1961 and served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. In October 1962, Neal command- ed a platoon of Marines aboard the
USS Thuban during the Cuban
Missile Crisis. After returning from
active duty in 1963, Neal earned a
law degree from the University of
Alabama and began practice in
Phenix City, across the river from
Columbus, Georgia. Neal specialized in civil cases with large jury verdicts. His cases of national notoriety re- sulted in appearances on The Phil Donohue Show, CBS
Morning News, and cover stories in USA Today and News- week. Neal lived nearly thirty years with a transplanted heart, never slowing down as he battled the challenges that included quadruple bypass surgery on his new heart. Neal loved a big project, like relocating his home from Midtown Columbus to the backwaters on Lake Harding, which required that the home be cut into seven piec- es and reassembled on site. While continuing to work as a lawyer, he branched out into agriculture, founding Neal Pope’s Farm just up the road from his Salem home. This organic, self-sustainable, geothermal, solar powered farm produces hemp and tomatoes. Neal is survived by his wife of forty-six years, Virginia Pitts Pope, three chil- dren and seven grandchildren.
Phillip C. Potter Jr., ’83, passed away peacefully at age ninety-five on September 29, 2022 in Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City, a block from his childhood home and his elementary school, survived by his wife of sixty years, Letitia McClure Potter, three children and three grandchil- dren. Philip attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School. An avid soccer player, he served as varsity soccer captain at Harvard and was invited to the Olympic trials. His outstanding skill and leadership were recognized by se- lection to All-New England and All-American Honorable Mention teams. In 1943, during World War II, he spent his summer at age sixteen working at Republic Aviation Company as a riveter, building P-47 fighter planes, with his classmate George Plimpton. In 1944, he joined the American Field Service as a volunteer ambulance driver with the British Army in Italy, later shipping out to India in preparation for the Burma Campaign, which thankfully was cut short by the end of the war. Early in his law career, Phillip, serving pro bono, successfully won the release of an innocent prisoner had served eighteen years. He ran a group, Recording for the Blind, which transcribed law books to audio format for blind students and lawyers. Phillip loved sailing, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. In winter, he willfully endured family ski trips with cheer.
Gerald J. Rapien, ’86, passed peacefully at age seven- ty-nine on July 5, 2022. Jerry grew up a Boy Scout with a lifelong love of the outdoors, enjoying backyard bird- ing, dry-stack stone wall building, and a passion for golf. Jerry’s knowledge of steam engines and the railroad in- dustry was another passion. Running model trains at the Behringer Crawford Museum at Christmastime was great fun for Jerry, and he served on its Board of Directors for several years. Jerry was active in the College, serving as Chair of the Outreach and Ohio State Committees. Jerry is survived by his wife of thirty years, Cheryl Johnson, and his first wife, Kathryn Beresford, as well as three daughters and four grandchildren.
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