Memories of Maxwell "Max" Potter

In memory of

Maxwell "Max" Potter

Amherst, MA, USA

2001 - July 24, 2021

2001 - Jul 24, 2021

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Steven Jin

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Levent Batakci

The first time I met Max was in 6th grade French class. Our teacher - Madame Kindt - sat us next to each other. Max was the new kid at the time, so I didn't know much about him. We started talking and that quickly changed. It didn't take long for Max and I to become good friends.

My favorite memory from middle school is when I went to Rehoboth beach with Max. I believe it was in 6th grade. I've never really been a beach person, but I had so so much fun. When we came back home, I wanted to show him my Wii U. He ended up staying for a few hours, and I remember that the Legend of Zelda minigame on Nintendoland was his favorite.

The first thing we bonded over was a shared love of games. The first game we played together online was Minecraft - Max showed me so many cool servers and mods that he enjoyed. As time went on, Max and I moved onto new games - we stuck with DOTA2 for a while and had started playing again this summer. Playing games with Max was always fun. Even the most one-sided losses were a blast because of being in his company. I'm truly grateful to have gotten to spend time with him this summer.

As high school began, we bonded over a shared interest in academics - particularly in math and computer science. In 9th grade, we both took an introductory visual basic course. We collaborated on the final project to code a version of Magic the Gathering (a card game). Working with him was so much fun and got me deeply interested in coding. When it came to computer science, Max was consistently more knowledgeable than everyone I knew. He was endlessly humble and used his knowledge to inspire those around him.

It was a delight to be Max's friend. Every time I talked with him, he had something new and exciting to tell me about. Even if the topic wasn't that interesting to me, I loved hearing him talk. Seeing Max be so genuinely enthusiastic always made my day.

It breaks my heart that Max's illness made it hard for him to believe he was capable of positive impact on people's lives. His commitment to being considerate never once faltered in the time that I knew him. He always lifted us up when we were feeling down. I've learned so many wonderful things by being Max's friend. I have no doubt that his positive impact on me will (and has) spread to everyone I know.

He truly had a heart of gold. The world was undoubtedly brighter with him in it, and he will be missed.

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Ethan Thomas

Susan Havranek

Leyla Batakci

Bert Potter

Comments:

Susan Havranek

Max was so excited when you invited him to the beach that day. Our move to PA was hard for him. He worried... Read more Max was so excited when you invited him to the beach that day. Our move to PA was hard for him. He worried about fitting in.... Read more Max was so excited when you invited him to the beach... Read more

Polly Rowe

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Adam Lechowicz

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Jacob Urisman

When I read the email about Max's passing, I did not believe it at first. Even now I am not sure that I fully believe it. I wasn't the closest friends with Max, but he was one of the first friends I ever made in college. I enjoyed every interaction we ever had, be it working on homework, studying for exams, or just having lunch together. He was always so fun to talk to and upbeat. My deepest condolences for all who knew him, especially his family.

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Bert Potter

Leyla Batakci

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S Shtereva

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Larry Tseng

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Paarth Tandon

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Nitya Aryasomayajula

2021, Amherst, MA, USA (zoom)

This has been my first year at UMass studying Computer Science. I was a part of the same tutoring program as Maxwell, where we served as peer tutors for students in our respective programs. Through this, I got to meet Maxwell as a peer acquaintance in my class. I remember having had Maxwell as a tutor multiple times, after which I chatted with him a little bit about school. One thing that stood out to me most was his willingness and genuine passion for helping others. He was always so friendly, kind, and selfless, and I specifically remember a time where I requested a 1 hour tutoring session, where he willingly tutored me for 2 and a half hours just so I was prepared for a quiz. Moreover, Maxwell put in so much effort and passion into whatever he did, and I remember him being super encouraging all the time. While I wasn't super close with him, Maxwell's energy and spirit inspired me to put the same energy into my job. To this day, as a tutor and teacher, I still get reminded of Maxwell's immense care, passion, and kindness and do my best to reciprocate it. I wish I got to know him better, but I wanted to share how inspiring Maxwell was, even as an acquaintance. Rest in peace ❤️.

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Bert Potter

Leyla Batakci

Comments:

Bert Potter

Max would be delighted to hear that you are passing forward kindness and helpfulness. His final note said... Read more Max would be delighted to hear that you are passing forward kindness and helpfulness. His final note said that was the legacy... Read more Max would be delighted to hear that you are passing... Read more

Robin Glaser

Dear Susan and Family,
My deepest sympathy for your loss. I wish I could console you. Max will always be in your hearts. Don't allow the 'what ifs' get to you. That darkness is heavy and exhausting, layer upon layer dragging a person down to a maze of despair with no escape. It's no one's fault, there's no reason, for some of us, it just is. My love to you all, Cousin.
Robin Porter Glaser

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Bert Potter

Leyla Batakci

Nic A

2020, UMass Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA

Max and I sat next to each other in my second Computer Science class at UMass Amherst for each day that we had class until we got sent home due to COVID. He's a large part of the reason CS is still my major; he helped keep me interested and passionate in the topic and each day we had class, he helped me feel more secure in myself and my own abilities. We became better friends as the semester progressed. He was one of those people that you just *knew* would be willing to help you. I will never forget the kindness and brightness that he exuded.

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Bert Potter

Leyla Batakci

Comments:

Susan Havranek

Max would have loved to have known that he made a positive impact on your life. His illness made it so hard... Read more Max would have loved to have known that he made a positive impact on your life. His illness made it so hard for him to believe... Read more Max would have loved to have known that he made a positive... Read more

Nic Asnes

Susan, I'm here years later thinking about Max again and again. I'm now a software engineer a couple years... Read more Susan, I'm here years later thinking about Max again and again. I'm now a software engineer a couple years into my career and ... Read more Susan, I'm here years later thinking about Max again... Read more

Ethan Thomas

I first met Max in middle school. He and our friend group convinced me to start playing a game called Dota 2. From there we moved onto the card game Magic the Gathering, Path of Exile and others. Most of us stopped playing Dota together when we graduated high school. Out of chance most of us got back into playing Dota this summer break, it reminded me a lot of when we played almost every night back in high school and how my parents would yell at me to go to bed, but I didn't because I was having fun with my friends. Max was one of those friends. The last game I played with him was on 7/17/21. We lost the game but now I reflect back on it seeing it as a win because that was the last time I ever got to spend time playing with him and talking to him. Max had a big heart, I won't forget the times in a study hall or at lunch where he would excitedly show us a new game he found and told us about it because he thought we would like it or it would be a fun game for us to play. It is without a doubt he is loved and will be missed.

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Levent Batakci

Bert Potter

Leyla Batakci

Comments:

Bert Potter

Those DOTA2 games were a big part of his day. He would tell me about them afterwards, win or loss, and I... Read more Those DOTA2 games were a big part of his day. He would tell me about them afterwards, win or loss, and I always liked hearing... Read more Those DOTA2 games were a big part of his day. He would... Read more

Bert Potter

2020, Amherst, MA, USA

Max, Tim, and Grace on our back deck

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Levent Batakci

Comments:

Mary C. Potter

I am so glad to hear of these positive and happy memories of Max! He was a fine person, and I miss him. ... Read more I am so glad to hear of these positive and happy memories of Max! He was a fine person, and I miss him. Thanks for these reminders... Read more I am so glad to hear of these positive and happy memories... Read more

Bert Potter

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Levent Batakci

Bert Potter

2020, Amherst, MA, USA

Susan, Tim, Max & Grace, delightful apple-picking afternoon together.

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Levent Batakci

Grace Lam

Fiona Potter

2019, Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA, USA

Sharing in the beautiful tradition of decorating the thanksgiving table. We love you so much

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Bert Potter

Levent Batakci

Maeve Potter

Dave Nicolson

Susan Havranek

Comments:

Bert Potter

Who would have thought a picture of the back of Max's head could be so ... Maxy. Who would have thought a picture of the back of Max's head could be so ... Maxy. Who would have thought a picture of the back of Max's... Read more

Camilla Potter

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Levent Batakci

Leyla Batakci

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Levent Batakci

Maeve Potter

2017, Woods Hole, Falmouth, MA, USA

Thanksgiving Daihinmin - I love and miss you ❤️

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Fiona Potter

Bert Potter

Levent Batakci

Dave Nicolson

Susan Havranek

Comments:

Bert Potter

One of his favorite games, certainly. (PC gamers are thinking -- TF2?) One of his favorite games, certainly. (PC gamers are thinking -- TF2?) One of his favorite games, certainly. (PC gamers are... Read more

Levent Batakci

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Levent Batakci

A birthday party movie

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Leyla Batakci

Comments:

Leyla Batakci

Max always spoke from the heart. He was the most considerate young man I ever met. We love him and miss ... Read more Max always spoke from the heart. He was the most considerate young man I ever met. We love him and miss him. Max always spoke from the heart. He was the most considerate... Read more