Dennis Lee Potts, 78, of South Pasadena, passed away peacefully on August 19th from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. For more than 25 years, Denny worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, as lead Spacecraft Engineer for two Mars missions, Supervisor of Systems Engineering for the Cassini Mission to Saturn, and Spacecraft Development Manager for the Spitzer Infrared Space Telescope. NASA awarded Dennis its Exceptional Service Medal in 2004 in recognition of his many contributions to their mission of space exploration.
Always active in the South Pasadena community, Denny was a Scoutmaster for Troop 342, an AYSO soccer coach, and a member of the South Pasadena Planning Commission and the Centennial Committee (1988). Denny was an avid golfer, cyclist, outdoorsman, and photographer. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Donna, his brother Jim, his four children (Shannon, Don, Josh, and Kelly), and his five grandchildren (Bryan, Kayla, Luke, Alden, and Sean). His family will place a memorial bench in Eddie Park, where Denny played with and coached two generations of his offspring.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating “in memory of Dennis Potts” to the Friends of the South Pasadena Public Library, at 1100 Oxley St, South Pasadena, CA 91030.
