- Date Of Birth: March 9, 1920
- Date Of Death: September 26, 2015
- State: Michigan
Robert J. Carter, Sr. age 95 of Midland died peacefully on Saturday, September 26, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving children. Born the only child of John and Anna (Spreen) Carter on March 9, 1920 in Cloverdale, Michigan, he was educated in a one room school house, later graduating from Middleville High School.
As a graduate of Western Michigan University with a BA in Industrial Arts, he entered officer training school at Columbia University, New York and became a commissioned officer. Robert attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the Navy during WWII and served on the USS Core. Following the War, he received a Master’s Degree from Michigan State University. On October 17, 1944, Robert married Myrtha M. Klaiber in a ceremony performed by her father, Reverend August W. Klaiber in Holt, Michigan.
Following the war, he and Myrtha resided in Bellevue, Michigan where he taught high school Industrial Arts. In 1953, he accepted a teaching job at Midland High School and moved his family to Midland. Soon after he began a 32 year career with The Dow Chemical Company, culminating as Department Head of Housing and Relocation. He served two terms on the Midland Board of Education, was a lifetime member of the Midland Lions Club and a member of the First United Methodist Church. Once retired, he and Myrtha enjoyed extensive travel both on land and sea. Over his lifetime he enjoyed and maintained his birth place, the Carter centennial farm, where his children and grandchildren continue to gather. Bob had a keen interest in connecting with people and learning about their lives. He enjoyed woodworking, building his homes, flying his Piper J-3 Cub, and mowing the farm lawn on his John Deere tractor.
Together, he and Myrtha’s greatest joy and achievement was raising and educating their seven children. He is survived by Connie L. (Carter) Johnson of Delton, MI, John L. (Silvia) Carter, DDS of Midland and their children Megan and Jay, Robert J. Carter, Jr. of Delton, and his children Alison and Erica (Carter) Shook, D.D.S., M.S. (Zia) Shook, Nicholas J. Carter of Detroit, and his children Nina and Olivia, Eric A. (Kay) Carter of Midland and their children Matthew and Andrew, Myrthann (Mark) Francisco of Midland and their children Ali, Ariel, Marcus and Matthias, Christopher K. (Jennifer) Carter of Rochester, NY, and their children Madison and Dane. Also surviving is his precious great granddaughter, Nova Rose Shook, born June 27th, 2015. He was predeceased by his wife of 70 years, Myrtha Carter on September 12, 2015; son-in-law Daniel D. Johnson and his dear cousin Betty (Streeter) Hoebeke. The family wishes to thank the caregivers of Heartland Home Care and Hospice, Mid-Michigan Home Care and Senior Services for their loving care and support.
