Robert Alva Potts, age 89, of Gainesville Virginia passed away on September 13, 2021. Born on December 5, 1931 in Washington, D.C., Robert grew up in Arlington, Va. He is preceded in death by his parents Charles Orie Potts and Hester Early Potts, and his siblings Virginia Stafford, Charles E. Potts, and William Orie Potts. Robert worked for the Army Map Service in Glen Echo and served in the U.S. Naval Air Reserves in Anacostia, Md. He married Mary Rose Ingrao on June 9, 1951. In 1952 he was drafted into military service during the Korean War, and became Second Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers of the U.S. Army. Following this he chose the military as his career and served for 20 years the U.S., Germany, and the Far East, including Japan, Korea and Vietnam. During this time he earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Omaha. He retired from active military service in 1972, at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Following his retirement, he served as Assistant Fire Commissioner for New York City until he returned to Virginia where he worked in real estate development and management. He and Mary enjoyed their life in Reston and then Gainesville, Va. where he had a chance to live near the mountains. He and Mary enjoyed traveling to Florida to visit family, and they loved taking trips to Brigantine Beach, N.J. and Pittsburgh, Pa. to visit their grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. Robert is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mary Rose Potts. He is also survived by his children Michael Potts (Lynn Hamerling) and Rosemarie Potts Sheerin (H.D. Campbell), his sister Janet Potter, his grandchildren Christina Sheerin-Smith (Drew Smith), Marcella Hicks (Theo Hicks), Brianna Hager (Alex Hager), Maria Sheerin (Chad Knox), Kyra Hamerling-Potts, and great-children Lilly, Wesley, Brentley, Finnley, Teddy, Oliver, with many more to come, and numerous nieces and nephews. He will always be remembered for his deep sense of duty, loyalty, and his deep love for his family. The family will receive friends on Friday September 17, 2021 at Moser Funeral Home, 233 Broadview Ave., Warrenton, VA from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held Saturday, September 18, 2021 in the funeral home chapel starting at 2:00 p.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery.