Rob died with his bow in his hand and elk call in his mouth, pursuing one of his passions in the Wisdom/Big Hole area.  

Many of his friends, family (including two of his children), co-workers and other agencies joined Beaverhead County Search and Rescue and the Beaverhead County sheriff in tireless efforts to bring Rob home. Rob’s family will be forever grateful that he was found on Sunday, Sept. 27, 2015.

Rob was born March 20, 1962, to Robert and Millie Carter in Redwood City, California. He grew up mainly in Redwood City and Foster City, California. He attended Peninsula Christian Center and was active in their youth group. Rob graduated from San Mateo High School in 1981.

In the mid-1980s he moved to Montana and found his home. He worked different jobs, attended Christian Center, now Canvas, and actually helped with construction of the original church building. On Oct. 1, 1986, Rob started work for Plum Creek of Evergreen. He worked many positions over his 29 years of employment there, most recently being the safety action partner, working the MDO (Medium Density Overlay) and the press.

In 1987, Rob met Barbara Marie Wilson. It was foolish and beautiful love at first sight for both of them. He proposed to her in Glacier National Park on the bridge over Avalanche Creek. They eloped to the Justice of the Peace on July 7, 1987.  

On Feb. 11, 1988, Rob and Barbara welcomed their son, Robert Naaman Carter III, whom they called R.C. Their first daughter, Caitlin Grace Carter, was born on May 14, 1990, followed by the birth of their second daughter Melinda “Mindy” Nicole Carter on Oct. 23, 1991. Robert was a loving, funny, proud and involved dad. His job enabled Barbara to be a stay-at-home mom until Mindy started school.

Rob and his family moved to the West Valley area where they made their home to the present day.

Rob’s greatest joys were Barbara, his children and grandchildren, and his dogs Quigley and Gizmo.

Rob’s hobbies were his passions — bow hunting, rifle hunting, fishing and ice fishing. He loved sharing his hobbies with his children.

In 2003, Rob found one of his callings when he began volunteering as the pole vault coach for Whitefish High School. He coached R.C. and many other vaulters to the level of ability that allowed them to place at the State track meet. He loved all his vaulters and two (Ben Brewer and Cort Rogers) became special friends into adulthood. Rob volunteered from 2003 to 2012 and was hired as an assistant coach in 2013. He held this position until his death.

For their 25th anniversary, Rob made plans secretly over the course of a year to take Barbara to Hawaii, only telling her at the last minute. Rob loved showing Barbara Hawaii and during a Maui sunset on the beach, gave her a wedding ring to replace one that disappeared years before. They dreamed and talked of moving to Hawaii.  

Daughter Caitlin made Rob a grandfather to Lindsay Athene on June 20, 2013, and to Benjamin Orion on May 12, 2015. Rob was born to be a grandfather and loved his grandchildren dearly.  

Rob is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara; his children R.C., Caitlin and Mindy; his grandchildren, Lindsay Athene and Benjamin Orion; and stepgrandchildren, Emily and Connor Davis. He is also survived by his parents, Robert and Millie Carter; his parents-in-law, Chuck and Mariann Norick; his brother, Stephen Carter and sister-in-law Tara Carter; nephews and niece, Marcus, David and Evie Carter; his sister, Denise Ohlin and brother-in-law Steve; niece and nephew, Becca and Kevin Ohlin; and many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Rob was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Charles and Esther Keys; his paternal grandparents, Howard and Grace Carter; and his niece, Mikayla Carter.

Rob’s memorial service is at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at Canvas Church at 255 Summit Ridge Road, Kalispell, with a light reception to follow.