Harold William Pote ’68

Hal died June 26, 2007, while sailing off the coast of Turkey. He was 60.

Hal was born in Philadelphia and prepared at Penn’s Grove High School. At Princeton, he majored in economics and ate at Quadrangle. He received an MBA from Harvard in 1972.

After years of executive roles at First Fidelity, the Beacon Group, and JPMorgan Chase, Hal returned to Philadelphia in 2006 as CEO of American Financial Realty Trust. Hal was a tremendous supporter of charity and the arts, and co-founded the Spina Bifida Foundation, which he served as president. Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell characterized Hal as “a civic leader who stepped up to the plate and never waited to be asked,” and also said, “Generations of Philadelphians are in his debt.”

Hal was happiest when sailing his boat in Barnegat Bay or rooting for the Phillies. Though viewed as a gourmet, Hal celebrated his 60th last September with a picnic of mashed potatoes, scallops, and potato chips — his real favorites.

The banking world and Philadelphia will miss the many contributions of this unique man. He is survived by his wife, Linda E. Johnson; his mother, Lucille Bock Pote; and his brothers, Frank and Corey. To all of them, the class sends profound sympathy.