Robert Earl Carter

Robert Earl Carter, aka “Bobby”, Bob”, “Daddy”, “Granddaddy”, was born at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore City Maryland on Christmas Eve, December 24th, 1935 to Ruth Crow Carter and Vivian (“Nick”) Earl Carter. The story goes that they said “Ruth – hang on a little while longer and you’ll have a Christmas baby!”. But wait he would not. There was a life to live! He would indeed become a man of few words, but a man of action.

Robert was called home to his heavenly Father on Saturday morning, January 4th, 2025 at 92 years old. His only child, Lisa Carter Powell, and her husband David Powell were at his side whispering the “Our Father” prayer in each ear when he crossed that heavenly bridge. If there was ever a shining candidate to get to heaven, it was him. The words that ring in our ears are: “Good and Faithful Servant” as that is how he lived his life.

A dutiful and loving son to Ruth and Nick, Bobby spent his summers in the Carter ancestral family stomping grounds in the Northern Neck of the Rappahannock River near Tidewater, Virginia, with the likes of Uncle Tom and Aunt Velma, Aunt Bea, Aunt Peggy, Cousins Gordon Earl Oliver, Cecil Courtney, Nancy Carter Crump and many more. He loved fishing and crabbing and boating on the river. He mastered the art of cooking (and eating) Maryland Style Steamed Crabs! He was a protective (and at times ornery) big brother to Virginia (Ginny) Carter Leasure (of Blairsville, GA), who recalls the many pranks Bobby would play on her but how she loved him so. He later became Uncle Bob to her children David, Steve, Nancy, Sherry and Ginny.

With early tendencies toward engineering and craftsmanship, he attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute. He bought his first guitar in 1945 and taught himself to play in the style of his hero Chet Atkins. With the Korean War underway, he enlisted in the Air Force in 1952 where he would study mechanical drafting and electronics and was stationed at Ernest Harmon AFB in Newfoundland (ironic - given how he hated the cold!). While there he played his beloved Gretsch electric guitar in a band, performing for other servicemen. Returning home to Baltimore in 1955, he began a lifelong career as an engineer for the Bethlehem Steel Corporation, Sparrows Point Plant in Dundalk Maryland. Although he never attended college himself, he learned structural, mechanical and civil engineering on the job and supervised a “squad” of engineers until he retired in 1981. He also studied architecture on his own, completing a “correspondence course” and became an accomplished architectural designer. It was at Bethlehem Steel that he met the love of his life – Louise Lubinski. They courted, then married on Labor Day 1959, honeymooning at Virginia Beach. They had a life-long love affair as man and wife for over 65 years and were best friends as well. They welcomed baby Lisa Louise Carter in June 1961.

Robert Carter was the consummate Daddy to his little girl. He played his guitar and sang to her; favorite tunes were “You are My Sunshine” and “Rolypoly” (by Hank Williams). She followed him around as his little helper when he poured concrete and worked in his woodshop or at his drawing board, and it is these early beginnings that led her to become a structural engineer. She watched in amazement while he painted and sculpted and crafted fine woodwork and furniture, creating one-of-a kind art treasures that filled their home in Kingsville, Maryland – the one that he designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright and oversaw its construction. He built their first TV and a grand stereo with its fine wood cabinet that ran the width of the living room. He also taught her how to “drive” the riding lawn mower, catch a softball and hit golf balls, crab, fish, drive a boat, and drive a car (with stick shift!). She always understood his unconditional love for her and his faith in her abilities to achieve her dreams. What a renaissance man and an inspiration.

Robert and Louise moved to Grand Island Florida in 1982, where they both became instantly ingrained in the community. He worked as an engineer for the City of Eustis for ten years. A Trustee of First United Methodist Church of Eustis for four decades, he designed and built and engineered so many projects for the church. His handiwork adorns both his home on Cypress Court and his “second home” on Grove Ave at FUMC.

“Daddy Bob” gave his little girl’s hand in marriage to David Powell in 1988. David and Lisa are both structural engineers living in Austin, Texas and their three children – Elise Louise Powell, Zachary Carter Powell, and Jake Robert Powell – were blessed to have their wonderful Granddaddy who loved and nurtured them as well.

Robert Earl Carter was true disciple of our Lord Jesus and showed his faith by constant action. He gave so freely of his time, talents and treasures throughout his entire 92 years. He leaves us a legacy of love. We will miss him so dearly but are confident that he now finds the ultimate joy in the arms of our Savior.

A celebration of the rich life of Robert Earl Carter will be held at First United Methodist Church of Eustis Friday, January 31st at “High Noon” (he did so love his Westerns). His good friend and co-conspirator Reverend Jay Kowalski will preside. A luncheon gathering will be held in the FUMC Fellowship Hall following the service – all are welcome.

For those wishing to make a donation in his honor, please consider the Forward Paths Foundation – a Tiny Home Community that was constructed to provide transitional housing for at-risk youth. This was a project Bob supported and was integrally involved with. https://forwardpaths.org/