Dr. Robert E. Carter

Robert was born October 2, 1928 in Springfield, Massachusetts to the late Henry and Rose Carter. He was raised in Meriden, Connecticut. Robert proudly served his country with the navy during the Korean Conflict aboard the USS Charles R. Ware. Upon discharge, he earned his B.S. from Southern Connecticut State University. After teaching for the Honolulu Public Schools, Robert was awarded a fellowship and earned both his Masters and Doctorate at Wayne State University.

Robert began his higher ed teaching career at Illinois State University, where he met his future wife, Sylvia. Robert and Sylvia moved to Marquette where he began his tenure at Northern Michigan University in 1965. He was hired by NMU to develop their teacher education programs in special education, first in mental retardation and later in emotional impairment. Robert wrote the CARTER project (Certification Approval and Retraining of Teachers for the Education of the Retarded) at NMU, which trained teachers to become eligible to teach special needs students. Just by coincidence, with a chuckle, happened to spell his last name.

The project was identified as one of the 50 most creative in the United States at the time.

After retirement, Bob continued his love for education by attending watch and clock repair school in St. Paul, Minnesota. He enjoyed carpentry, making and repairing watches and clocks, and tying flies for fishing. He loved going to hunting camp with the boys on Grand Island. He enjoyed crossword puzzles and following sports, especially the Boston Red Sox.

Robert is survived by his wife, Sylvia, daughters, Heidi Carter, Jodie (Tim) Bergmann, and son, Chris (Erin) Carter. Grandchildren, Zachary, Clinton and Abbie Bergmann, Delaney, Andrew, Breene, and CJ Carter and several nieces and nephews.

Family and friends may call on Thursday, April 19, 2018 beginning at 10AM at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home. Funeral service will follow at 11:30 at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption, 235 W. Ridge Street in Marquette with Father Mark Sietsema officiating. Interment will take place at Park Cemetery followed by a traditional Greek luncheon at the Swanson-Lundquist Funeral Home.

Those wishing to make an expression of sympathy are kindly asked to consider The Warming Center, The Peter White Public Library, or charity of your choice.

Condolences may be expressed online at swansonlundquistfuneralhome.com