RHONDA L. POTTINGER SCHOLARSHIP | R.C. Pottinger
Contact: R.C. Pottinger
This scholarship was established to honor Rhonda Pottinger. Her family and friends want to perpetuate the giving spirit that exemplified Rhonda’s life.
Rhonda graduated from Marengo High School and then began college to become a dental hygienist. She graduated from William Rainey Harper College and received awards for academic and clinical excellence. Following graduation, she began her career in McHenry County, Illinois then at offices in Rockford. She found her career as a dental hygienist to be very rewarding. It allowed her to work both full-time and part-time as she built her family.
Perhaps, most importantly, because of her career she developed lifelong relationships with her co-workers and patients. These relationships strengthened her bond with the Rockford community. She became very involved in Rockford and became involved in numerous fundraising and volunteer activities throughout her life.
Although she passed away at 59 years of age after a battle with cancer, in reflection, her career and the professional and personal relationships she established were a comfort to her as a life well-lived. She was a “giver” and not a “taker”.
Before Rhonda passed away, she asked her family to establish this scholarship to assist a second-year student that has demonstrated resilience and would be the type of student that Rhonda would likely have helped directly if she were alive today. Hopefully this scholarship serves as not only a financial reward but also helps the deserving student to ponder her future contributions to the dental profession and community.
OBITUARY
Rhonda Lynn Pottinger (59) of Rockford, Illinois departed this life on February 22nd, 2025. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband and sons.
Rhonda was born on August 20th, 1965, to Patsy and Richard Pfaffinger. She was raised in Marengo, Illinois and married the love of her life Robert (R.C.) Pottinger on June 9th, 1990. She trained as a dental hygienist and worked as such throughout the years. Through fundraisers and banquets she created connections and memories throughout the Rockford community. Through thick and thin she raised three unique boys and will someday be a perfect grandmother in spirit.
She was a light of imperishable kindness for her family, friends, and countless others. She found friendships everywhere she went, from the Midwest to both coasts of Florida. She loved to walk on the beach, gathering seashells and enjoying the peace of the ocean. She lived every day with an endless strength and pure joy of life that shined through her smile and laugh, illuminating everyone’s lives. She shared a love that was selfless, boundless, and beyond.
She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Robert (R.C.) Pottinger, her three sons, Chase, Conlan, and Bobby, her beloved dog Leo, her sister, Kenda Martin, her father, Richard Pfaffinger, and was preceded in death by her mother, Patsy Pfaffinger.