I first met John Pottage in the early 1970s when I was considering completing an MA in History & Philosophy of Science with a focus on Mathematics. My first encounter with him was his MA [preliminary] unit on the History of Mathematics. This unit was a fascinating journey through some of the early developments and John’s enthusiasm for Euclid, Archimedes, the Indians and the Chinese was very clear. Lectures were beautifully crafted and presented. John demonstrated not only a love and knowledge of Mathematics but was able to put Mathematics a larger picture. Indeed, I remember him saying that Mathematics was the greatest of the Arts. Tributes that describe him as a “renaissance man” are most apt. When I decided to study the Mathematics of Simon Stevin for my MA, it was logical to approach John to be my supervisor. John always let me investigate wherever I wanted but would occasionally suggest other roads and lanes to follow, all of which proved to be fruitful. His pencilled comments on my hand-written drafts were very detailed and it was clear that he also was fully engaged in my choice of topic. His memory of references was phenomenal; references that he had seen ten years earlier were recalled almost instantaneously. I also appreciated his attention to detail with regard to correct English; he was a fellow pedant! John was undoubtedly the greatest mind that I encountered at Melbourne University and I hope that his unpublished papers and musings will be available for future students of the History of Mathematics. Rod Watson.

I first met Dr John Pottage at Melbourne University in the 1970s when he was a lecturer in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science. I was studying Middle Eastern Studies on the floor above and I soon found that Dr John had very wide interests, extending from the hard sciences to the humanities. He could discuss a wide range of subject areas and he kept an extensive library of books, articles and cuttings, which needed continual trimming and filing. As his health failed him, he spent much of his time making sure that the many scholarly books in his vast library found new homes for continuing reading and research. Dr Pottage, Gentleman and Scholar, at all times displayed a teaching approach which was student-friendly, fitness routines which were arduous and friendships which were caring and sincere. I have personally been greatly enriched by my considerable contact with Dr Pottage and I considered it a priviledge to be able to spend about four days at his home in Mount Eliza during November 2009, helping John to sort and find new homes for his Library books. Dr Pottage led a very full and rewarding life, was surrounded by a very loyal and loving family and his legacy, including the donation of his body to Science, will ensure that in a way he has not gone and most certainly he will never be forgotten.

I met this fine examplar of all to which a university ought to aspire. I had the good fortune to live with Dorothy and John Pottage from April to August, 1967 while completing my doctorate in Philosophy. Our time together enabled me to really appreicate all that defined John - dry wit, exceptional intellectual and athlete ability, poet. artist, and a supportive and insightful colleague and friend. While all those who knew or aquanted with John will surely miss him, I will mourn his loss.