Robert Eugene Carter Jr.

 

Robert Eugene Carter Jr., (77) “Bob” of Grand Marais, MN passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family on Friday, March 10, 2023, after a brief battle with cancer. He had a positive outlook and accepted God’s plan for him. He was born August 2, 1945, in Albert Lea, MN to Robert E Carter and Esther “Louise” Nelson. Bob was the eldest of four children and grew up in South Saint Paul.

In high school he was Student Council President and played football and baseball. He attended and graduated from Macalester College in 1968 and then honored his country by serving in Vietnam. Bob raised his family in South St. Paul and was involved in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, Deacon of the First Methodist Church, a coach for youth sports etc.

Bob was involved in the St. Paul Winter Carnival for many years, serving as Prince of the South Wind and as director of the Winter Carnival in 1992 when the ice castle was constructed.

After serving in Vietnam, Bob went into the family business, Bob Carter Ford in Inver Grove Heights, where he built a loyal clientele.

In 1998 Bob moved to Grand Marais, MN achieving his dream to live in the north woods. Bob quickly became involved in acting in local plays, being an active member of AA in which he sponsored many people and helped with their journey in recovery. He was very active in First Congregational Church of Christ, as a moderator. One of his biggest joys was co-hosting a WTIP weekly radio program “The Road House” for 14 years with his dear friend, Buck Benson.

Bob started a second career as a real estate agent in Cook County. He loved working with his clients, and he went above and beyond to match them with the house of their dreams. Bob and Helen were married in 2010 and enjoyed golfing, biking, working out at the Y together, and traveling. Bob touched many lives in so many ways. In the past two years he joined a group that met via Zoom every morning that gave him the opportunity to meet many people with similar interests and became close friends.

Bob and Helen escaped the Minnesota winters heading to Jekyll Island, Georgia, where they enjoyed golfing, biking, beach going and found a group of dear friends to enrich their lives.

Bob is survived by his loving spouse, Helen, his children, Sarah (Dan) Kostohryz and grandchildren Emma Walker, Loki Walker, and Henry Walker; and Adam (Jennifer) Carter and grandchildren Morgan Carter, Signe Carter, Lauren Bartl and Ryan Bartl; and his siblings, Mary Albert, Jim Carter [Victoria) and Jan Detmar, and many nieces and nephews, as well as many loving friends.

A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at the First United Congregational Church of Christ in Grand Marais March 18th, 2023, at 1 p.m. Memorials to benefit causes close to Bob’s heart are the American Cancer Society or the Cook County YMCA.