Robert Byrns Potter Jr., 92, passed away peacefully on January 6, 2025, at his home in Comfort, Texas.

Robert, known by many as Dr. Bob, was born April 23, 1932, to Robert Byrns Potter and Margaret Trail Potter in McMinnville, Tennessee. He loved to tell tales of his boyhood in the mountains of Tennessee, and then his teen years in San Antonio. He was truly a self-made man both in his career and also his openness to life.

In 1957, he became a captain in the Army Reserves and was called to duty in the Dental Corps from 1962-1964. While teaching at the dental school, he met Diane.

In June 1964, he married Diane Houser, his wife for 60 years. Diane proved to be his creative match and eventual business partner when their antique shops were in full swing. Moving from Iowa to Nashville, Tennessee, he and Diane had their first child, Elizabeth, in 1966, followed by their son, Robert, in 1969 when living in Charleston, South Carolina.

Bob moved the family to San Antonio, where he established a practice as an orthodontist with his brother-in-law, Jack Payne. He then moved to Boerne, where he became “Dr. Bob”! He established several locations for his practice over the years, moving from the office that was an extension of the family house on Main Street to a small office he had built by the side of the house, to eventually a larger office constructed to resemble an old school house.

In the late 1980s, he eventually moved to Comfort, where his next significant chapter began.

In 1985, he and Diane purchased the then run-down hotel then known as the Faust Hotel, renovated it, and renamed it The Comfort Common. He and Diane lovingly restored and decorated the old hotel and opened an antique shop coop and bed and breakfast.

Among the list of historic buildings he bought and restored was the old post office leased to a restaurant to help give Comfort a much-needed cafe, a corner building he used as an antique shop, and other locations now housing local businesses.

Over time the hotel was sold, new owners continued renovations and upkeep, and is currently in good hands with local owners, and renamed The Giles Hotel. His other buildings were also sold over time.

With his many real estate purchases downtown, he was key in creating what is now the beautiful, historic downtown of Comfort. One of his greatest joys was his love of the community and pride in his part in helping to save history.

Bob's many interests and accomplishments could fill a book. He loved to travel, write, think up big ideas, antique shop—and sell—and felt a call to serve by volunteering with hospice and Meals on Wheels.

Bob's death was preceded by his sisters, Carolyn Yarbrough and Sidney Margaret Payne.

He is survived by his wife, Diane H. Potter; son, Robert Potter III and his wife, Sara Potter; daughter, Elizabeth Potter; grandchildren, Audrey and Sadie Potter; younger brother, Alan Potter and his extended family; niece, Polly Noble, and her family; nephew, Trail Potter and his family; and his nieces and nephews Bari Dugan, Bob Yarbrough, Bill Yarbrough, and Brynn Layne and their families.

Bob will be missed but remembered for how he influenced, supported, and loved so many.

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