Robert G. Potter Jr., known to many as Bob, died peacefully at his home on Pimpneymouse Farm on June 13. He was 91.

He was born August 5, 1925 in Boston, the eldest son of Robert G. Potter and Priscilla Howland Potter. He shared with his two siblings, Hope Hickok and Samuel B. Potter, strong interests in the natural world, visual arts and books.

He grew up in Brookline. His fondest memories were of summer days with his family and a close circle of friends in Middletown, R.I. It was at Third Beach that he developed a lifelong love of body surfing. His early arboreal activities led to several mishaps — a school ban on tree climbing and a broken leg — but presaged an enduring interest in trees and woodlands.

He graduated from Milton Academy and returned to his beloved Camp Kieve in Maine to lead summer wilderness trips until he was called to serve in the Pacific during World War II. His favorite memory from being stationed on the island of Kauai was the spectacular coastal views during dump runs. Bob was part of the ground forces sent to Japan, where he served as a documentary photographer.

During his Army years he courted his future wife, Edo Welch, through long, descriptive letters that she cherished. They were married on June 7, 1947 in Boston, and moved to Cambridge when Bob enrolled in Harvard College, where he majored in sociology. After graduating in 1950, he went on to pursue a master’s degree and Ph.D. in the same field. He moved his young family to New Jersey to continue dissertation research at the Office of Population Research at Princeton University. He was invited to continue his research at Princeton after receiving his Ph.D. In 1962 he accepted a faculty position at Brown University that included undergraduate and graduate level teaching and independent research, and moved his family to Providence, R.I.

While at Brown, he did research on the biostatistical aspects of demography. He developed a computer simulation model that could trace the impact of family planning practices on birth rates. His work in demography took him to such places as Thailand, Taiwan and the UN in Geneva. He received grants from the Ford Foundation and NIH to support his independent research work. He was a pioneer in using early computers and mathematical models to analyze demographic data.

He had a particular love of tennis throughout his life. He reportedly started hitting a tennis ball against the side of his family’s house at age five and later became captain of the Milton tennis team in his senior year. He enjoyed playing doubles on Chappy’s clay courts during the summer and at the Vineyard Tennis Center in the winter for many years. An intense competitor, he was described as a master of touch.

From early days on Chappy, he particularly enjoyed surfcasting at dawn at Wasque Point and also swimming and windsurfing. He and Edo loved to cruise in nearby waters and Maine and go on natural history trips with close friends. They moved from Providence to Chappy full time when Bob retired from Brown in 1984.

Bob managed the woodlands on Pimpneymouse Farm for 40 years under the Massachusetts Chapter 61 Forest Management program. He delighted in analyzing the ongoing complexity of the forest and relished taking action that “would stand favorite trees in good stead.” He selected and marked trees to be cut for firewood production as well as up to 20 cords a year of oak and pitch pine. Stacking firewood, brush cutting and trail maintenance were a fulfilling component of his Pimpneymouse Farm life.

Birding was also a lifelong keen interest. He assiduously kept monthly and annual bird lists. At all times of year, he and Edo would drive around Chappy, particularly to Wasque and Cape Pogue, to observe birds and beach erosion activity. They liked to bring a picnic to Cape Pogue Pond beach no matter the weather. He and Edo hosted the Chappy bird count birders’ lunch for close to 30 years. He also enjoyed squash, pingpong, croquet, hiking, skating, downhill and cross-country skiing, canoeing, and photography.

Bob is survived by his wife of 70 years, Edith Welch Potter, age 90; his four children: Sandy and her husband, John Williamson, Kathy and her husband, David Miller, Hatsy Potter, and Stephen and his wife, Lynn Potter; four grandchildren in descending order of age: Grier Potter and her husband, Drew Lederman of New York city, Elliot Miller and his wife, Jackie of Windham, N.H., Robert Potter 3rd of Santa Monica, Calif., and Whitney Miller of Marietta, Ohio; and his sister, Hope Hickok of Westport, Conn. The family wishes to thank Yvonne Matiwane, his devoted caregiver.

The Rev. Cynthia Hubbard will lead a graveside service and celebration of his life on Saturday, June 24 at 11:30 a.m. at the Hickory Cove Cemetery on Chappy. All are welcome to attend the service, which will be followed by a gathering at Pimpneymouse Farm for refreshments and sharing memories.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation, P.O. Box 1088, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or sheriffsmeadow.org.

Arrangements are under the direction of Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home.