Robert M. Carter

1929 - 2022

Robert ("Bob") M. Carter, a resident of Walnut Creek, California, age 92, died on January 2, 2022.

He was born in New York City in 1929, the son of H. J. and Helene Carter.

He is survived by his son Michael Carter, daughter-in-law Tracy, and granddaughter, Whitney, of Moraga, CA; daughter Dayna Sayres, son-in-law John, and granddaughters, Lauren, Kelly, and Haley, of Orinda, CA; son Stephen Carter and daughter-in-law Sherri, of Florence, MT; and son David Carter and granddaughter, Paige, of Redondo Beach, CA.

Major General Carter enlisted in the Army in 1953, was commissioned at Fort Benning, GA in 1955, and was assigned to the Army's Counterintelligence Corps. Over the subsequent 35 years, he served on active duty and in the Army Reserve in the intelligence and counter-intelligence communities, and commanded units at company, battalion, regiment, and brigade levels.

Professor/Doctor attended the College of William and Mary, receiving his degree in 1950. He subsequently earned two master's degrees and a doctorate at the University of California, Berkeley. His academic career began as a Professor of Criminology at the University of California. While at Berkeley, he was appointed Director of the San Francisco Crime Committee. Additional academic appointments followed at the University of Southern California. He was then appointed Professor of Behavioral Sciences at the United States Military Academy at West Point. At West Point, he was Chairman of the U.S. Army Rugby Team and coached the Army marathon team. During his academic career, he co-authored or edited nine books in criminology.

Bob was committed to supporting military veterans and did so by allocating substantial time to issues vital to veterans' affairs, including serving on the board of trustees of the Vermont Veterans Home. His love for animals and his community was exemplified by his support of the Animal Rescue Foundation and his passion for the local Elks Lodge.

His avocational interests included a love for long-distance running, and he competed in dozens of marathons from London to Los Angeles. Bob was also an accomplished sailor and fly fisherman, the latter of which he enjoyed late in life by taking trips with his sons and son-in-law. He also held a deep affection for his Labrador retrievers.

Bob will be buried with military honors at the Sacramento National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.