The love of my life left his family and friends on Feb. 12, 2007, at his most favorite spot on this earth after a long, hard battle with cancer.
Norman Bruce Pothier was born Feb. 17, 1950, in Boise, Idaho. He lived his school days in Pocatello all the way through Idaho State University, majoring in electronics. He then served a tour of duty with the United States Army in Vietnam. He moved to Ketchum and opened an electronics repair shop with his good friend, Rick Spaulding.
It was in Ketchum in 1976 that he met and married his bride. They moved to Port Townsend, Wash., where it was his lifelong dream to build a sailboat and circumnavigate the world. While building his dream, his bride was intent on building his family. He became an avid woodworker while building his boat and has used that talent to this day. He sailed the waters off Puget Sound and the Inside Passage to Alaska and back to Poulsbo, Wash., where he built a millworks shop employing 10 to 15 people.
After his three children were born, he moved his family back to Idaho for his love of the mountains. He taught his children how to ski, hike, and camp and to love the life he loved as an Idaho child. He began building furniture and eventually developed a residential construction business in Mountain Home where his attention to detail earned him a solid reputation. He liked to travel but loved to come home even more. He looked forward to June for the last few years when the family would drive to Arizona via the southern Utah canyon country. He was constantly in awe of the beautiful landscape.
He lived his life with courage and curiosity. He always strived to continue learning and loved real life history, amazing everyone with his knowledge of historical events. He shared 30 years of his life with his bride, Kristine Clement Pothier; his son, Jason Edward Pothier (Nichole Leighton); his daughter, Pepper Joe Pothier; and son, Bryce Clement Pothier. He grew up with his mother, Fern Rosenlof Pothier, and father, Oscar Edward Pothier, and three sisters, Judy Louise Buck, Sheryl Lorraine Harmer, and Beverly Ann Pothier. He also shared many good times and projects with his nephews, Mathew, Nick, Andy, Chris, Martin, Daniel and nieces, Tara, Faith, Rosa, Katrina, Lucy, Marianne and Kendra.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Norman's name to the Gooding High School woodworking or welding departments.
A memorial service and celebration of Norman's life was held on Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at the Pothier residence.
