RIP Andy Potts aka SOTB

[RedDawg_03]

Originally Posted by Silverbullet

Andy passed into Vahalla today.

His service included 3D Recon Bn, 2d Force Recon Co, JFKSWC. His efforts helped get the fledgling Force Recon MEUSOC program off ground and at one time he was the only MMF qualified sniper in the Marine Corps. He was hard as the proverbial woodpecker lips and smart.

He has worked all over the world and was currently running a highly successful intelligence and security company in Mexico. I know first hand the high level value his efforts brought to people.

I've had the privilege of knowing Andy since 1986. We shared similar traits and have agreed, argued and told each other to F off in cycles for years. I valued his friendship, advice and ability to tell me I was an asshole.

He was a father, husband and a Brother to many.

This site was better because of him and he never hesitated to reach out a helping hand to anyone regardless of the circumstances.

Please take a moment to remember and celebrate Andy's life. He'll be missed, but not forgotten by all of us who knew him.

Semper Fi

This is terrible news. I never met him but I always read his insightful and thought provoking statements and comments on here.

This is a loss for us all. RIP SOTB. We will miss you on here

[MakoZeroSix]

This came as a shock to me coming back from a trip last night. I'm very upset. I had the pleasure of doing business with Andy, he hosted me in Mexico on two occasions. The guy rode several busses for hours to get from Gudalajara to Mexico City just to have dinner with me.

He was an incredibly nice, gracious and above all intelligent person. His prickly nature online might lead some people to believe he was that way in person, but he couldn't have been a nicer guy, and he taught me a great deal about the personal security business during our conversations. He had a truly unique perspective on that stuff.

Farewell friend. This place won't be the same without you. I know you didn't believe in God, but I hope that you were pleasantly surprised to realize that it didn't end with physical death, and that your conciousness continues on in some way in someplace, however it all actually works.

[DSSRonin]

RIP Marine. You, among others, made this place what it is. Sounds like your positive influence went way beyond the realm of SOCNET. May your family find some solace in that.

[Hoof]

I knew Andy back at 3rd Recon Bn. RIP Brother!

[just11b]

Rest In Peace, Marine.

[dustyrebel]

Rest in Peace, SOTB. Your advice was much appreciated. You took time to help out when you didn't even know me personally. Thank You. You will be missed.

[steve]

If there is a heaven, it just got a little more interesting if his internet persona is remotely close to his real world one.

[Argyll 50]

I've locked horns with Andy on many an occasion, and when I heard the news today, my heart felt heavy, I kept reading the name Andy, on many face book pages, hoping that it wasn't SOTB, sadly the news is indeed true.

Andy was as straight as they come, with wise words and harsh words when he felt they were needed, but never malicious in any of his responses, very sad news indeed, RIP Andy, thank you for all the good advice and straight talking over the past 10 years.

[Okie75]

Quick memory of SOTB, and an interaction I had with him a while back, when Jonah was still in his mom. I posted a picture of him up here, and he sent me a PM about PERSEC. He also would nail me on my grammatical errors, in a humorous but stern way. Part of me feels like, he helped me be able to write better. :) All humor aside, SOTB, the interactions i had with him, were always a pleasure. Rest easy, Marine. You are missed.

[34RX]

I never had the privilege of being on the receiving end of one of his insightful posts. He and his contributions will be sorely missed.

RIP

[Just Another Guy]

Huge hole left in this forum. RIP Sir!

[Bodiebot]

Rest in Peace SOTB

I have never met Andy and this news has me torn up inside. I will miss the knowledge you passed, the giant hammer you dropped on people and your blunt honesty.

RIP

[Cujo]

...not how I was expecting my day to start. I learned a lot from you on this site, even when I was an arrogant shit. Rest In Peace, SOTB. You'll definitely be missed.

[namor]

RIP Marine

We're all poorer for the loss.

[2ndrgrbn82-85]

RIP Marine !

[Gsniper]

When I was fairly new to the board we crossed swords several times. Over some really silly shit in hindsight. If a man can be described in one word I would describe Andy as "direct". Although we weren't buddies, I did greatly respect him and his experiences.

[Steamin]

Will be sorely missed -- R.I.P. Andy/SOTB
Semper Fi

[morelocks]

RIP Andy.
The world is diminished with your absence.
Semper Fi

[PinkMist]

RIP Andy. Semper Fi brother

[LLL]

I was taken back by the news when I read Silverbullet's post last night. It sucked the wind out of my sails and found myself at a loss for words. So, I signed off and reflected on the SOTB persona that I had come to know over the 11 years I've been a SOCNET guest. Andy (if I may) through the years triggered laughter, thought, introspection and the occasional rolling of the eyes. Although I didn't always share his views or conclusions, I respected them.

Andy, I shall miss your light in this virtual world. Earth is a lesser place without you and the heavens all the brighter. I hope when you left this world you were held with love and at peace with the journey ahead. Prayers for the loved ones you leave behind, until joined again in the next life.

I will hold to the words of Tennyson to fight back my sadness as I imagine you crossing the bar and "seeing your pilot face-to-face".

Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,

But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;

For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

As said by Bullwyf (13th Warrior), " a man might be thought wealthy if someone were to draw the story of his deeds, that they may be remembered."

You were a wealthy man and will be well remembered. Laura

[Devildoc]

RIP, Shipmate. I did not know him well, but well enough to know his passing diminishes us all.

[hawkdrver]

...no words. Not what I expected to see when I logged on this morning. I never met Andy in person but I wish I had. This will be a lesser place without him. Very sad.

RIP Marine.

[Sigi]

RIP SOTB. You will be well remembered and sorely missed.

What I loved about SOTB is he could take on very serious geopolitical matters, or advise/interject on security tactics and strategies, but then you'd open a thread in the Lounge and he is telling you how much he and his daughter loved The Jungle Book, or played HALO for who knows how many hours.

I will miss his presence here for sure.

[bullet65]

SEMPER FI MARINE, RIP.

[H60Gunner]

Fair Winds Marine.

I loved reading his posts. Wish I could have met him.

Semper Fi!

[Fofo]

Damn.

His posts were intentionally hilarious (at times to the point of being in tears IE: The Perplexity of Powerful Pooting thread - I did cry laughing so hard reading his posts in that one), endlessly helpful, or chew-out and also help at the same time in many instances. And it was all a treasure trove of experience and information for all on here to read and learn from.

Talked with him briefly in a few PM's a few years back, and he was as always, helpful as well as very polite.

He also helped correct my younger and dumb(er) ass years ago on here and I appreciate it.

Always loved reading his posts, whether it was about peanut butter, cooking, PT, guns or movies, political matters, overseas conflicts - whatever.

SOCNET lost a giant and the forum will never be the same without him.

RIP Marine.

[BionicDamien]

I'm utterly shocked.

Yesterday a friend of mine here Indy also passed who was also a Marine after a long battle with cancer. I have to hope that they rolled on together.

RIP Marine. Thank you for all that you did.

[Keganswar]

RIP Andy, I have been coming on this board for over ten years and SOTBs posts were always insightful or hilariouse or both at the same time. I found myself many times holding a position on a subject only to read one of SOTBs posts and rethink my position. He truly was a smart man. I did not know him personally but I will miss him and his thoughts. Long live the pinky test!!!!!!

[coolshock1]

RIP Warrior! My condolences to his family and his brothers here.

[Saw7616]

RIP SOTB! It was a pleasure to lurk and read your comments here.

I'd like to think in the early days when someone always said "getting a chair and popcorn" That we all where waiting for you come and show the misguided the way of the light. Your posts always had a way of lifting and humiliating all in one swoop... BZ

Semper Fi Sir, condolences to your family. If you wife our daughter are reading this, Please I hope they know we're a diverse group of unique individuals that can and will help anyone and anytime. The Reach of Socnet still amazes me after all these years.

Just let us know if there is anything you need.