Keith Carter

KEITH EYRE

CARTER

ASHEVILLE - Keith Eyre Carter, 88, of Givens Estates of Asheville, NC, husband of Helen A Carter, passed away on May 3, 2013 at Solace Hospice in Asheville. Keith is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Helen Andersen Carter; his son, Frank Carter of Chicago; his son, Keith M. Carter and daughter-in-law, Anna Chiraluce, of Perugia Italy; his daughter, Cynthia Bixby of Seattle; and nine grandchildren and their families, including two great-grandchildren.

Born in Akron, Ohio, Keith graduated from Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. He served 2 ½ years as a bombardier navigator in the Air Force during WW II. He returned and graduated with honors from Purdue University in Electrical Engineering, and was awarded the Big Ten Medal for scholarship and athletics. He won many honors as a swimmer including a world record in swimming and a silver medal in the 1948 Olympics.

Keith worked for Reliance Electric (motors, control, automation) which was later purchased by Rockwell Automation, first as a sales engineer, then product and marketing manager of systems, and finally as a general manager of all international with seven overseas operations.

Retiring after forty years and seven moves throughout the Midwest with the same company, Keith again took up swimming competition at the age of 65, competing internationally in the Masters for ten years and winning a number of national events including a world record in the 100 fly.

Keith was active in many activities including chairman of Boy Scouts, baseball Little League coach, condo board president, and church and community service. He loved to play golf and considered himself a typical enthusiast duffer. Most of all, he was a loving husband and father and would often mention how thankful he was.

Friends and family of Keith Carter are invited to a memorial service and reception at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at Givens Chapel in Asbury Commons. Burial will take place in Akron at a later time.