Robert Orville (Bob) Carter, 70, passed away Jan. 5, at his home in Spokane, Wash. His wife and longtime companion, Karen, was with him at the time of his death. Bob had serious medical issues for the past number of years, and his death was due to a heart attack.

Bob was born Dec. 3, 1947, to Orm and Miriam Carter (Corbett). He was raised in Burns and attended Burns Grade School and Burns Union High School (BUHS), graduating in 1965. He was very involved in sports during his youth and participated in football, wrestling, and baseball. He was a three-year letterman in wrestling while attending BUHS. He loved the forests and outdoors of Harney County. As a child, he spent many days and weeks at “The Cabin” on Emigrant Creek.

After high school, Bob attended Oregon State University. In 1966, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam, and was honorably discharged in August 1969. Bob relocated to Ashland at this time and worked for both Harry & David Fruit Packing and Boise Cascade Lumber Company out of Medford.

Bob met and married Kerry McKenzie, and had one daughter, Tara, in 1970. In 1971, Bob, Kerry, and baby Tara relocated to Paris, Texas, so that Bob could attend Paris Junior College (PJC) and earn degrees in watch/clock repair, jewelry repair, and gemology. Bob graduated from PJC in 1973, and returned to Burns to work for his dad, Orm Carter, in his jewelry store. Bob and Kerry divorced in 1976, but remained friends throughout the years.

In 1983, Bob went to work for the Oregon Department of Transportation as a DMV specialist. He relocated to the Hermiston area in 1984. It was there that he met his future wife and lifelong companion, Karen Quanbeck. They were married Dec. 12, 1987. Karen had three daughters, Kimberlee, Kristine, and Kelly, and Bob felt blessed to have these wonderful girls as his daughters.

Bob’s job moved him and Karen to many locations during the next number of years. They lived in Umatilla, Milton-Freewater, Elgin, Enterprise, and Salem. In 2004, Bob developed some serious health issues and ended up disabled. He and Karen relocated to Spokane, Wash., to be closer to the VA Hospital where he was being treated. It also brought them back to where Karen was raised. She had close family ties there.

Bob developed many friendships over the years. He was described as a very friendly man who loved everyone he came into contact with. He was very social and had a very big heart. He was generous to a fault. He absolutely loved his Oregon State Beavers and attended many of their games. His grandkids adored him. Daughter, Tara, says that her kids, Colton and McKenzie, remember Grandpa as the “tickler” who always made them laugh. Bob loved the times he was able to watch the grandkids play and compete in their sporting events. Many times, Grandpa Bob would take the kids to their various sports camps during the summer and stay all day to watch them play. He will be dearly missed.

Bob is survived by his wife, Karen Carter of Spokane; brother, Dick Carter (Shandel) of Burns; sister, Karen Carter of Sioux Falls, S.D.; daughters, Tara Parry (John) of Helena, Mont., Kimberlee Jensen (Jody) of Portland, Kristine Till (LaGrande) of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Kelly Perry of Phoenix, Ariz. Bob is also survived by grandchildren, Colton, McKenzie, Dallis, Tanner, Ryan, Dustin, Zanna, Cayden, and Taylor; great-grandchild, Kaylee; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Orm and Miriam Carter; sister, Linda Carter; and brother and sister-in-law, Ron and Mary Carter.

Memorial services are pending at this time.