The head of our herd, Brent Carter, 87, passed away February 8th, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Beverly of 64 years and his five kids.
Our dad was born Sept 22, 1936 in Watertown, SD, to John and Eunice Carter. He had one sister, Janet Arana. He moved at a young age to Medford, Oregon and graduated from Medford High School.
Dad attended Oregon State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology/Civil Engineering. Along with his bachelor’s degree Brent met Beverly Roberts. It was love at first sight and they married a year later. Their love story continued for 64 years.
Our dad began his professional career at the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, and held successively responsible positions for 42 years, retiring as Chief Geologist of the Pacific Northwest Region.
He was selected as one of four initial members of the first engineering-oriented underwater inspection dive teams in the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. For over 38 years he participated in and directed routine and problem specific underwater studies of dams, throughout the United States and Alaska. He was the Head Diving Officer for 15 of those years.
He loved the great outdoors. He was a founding member of FIGI (Foundations of Genesis Idaho), where he organized many field trips throughout the Pacific Northwest to learn, explore and bring home specimens of rocks, gems, geodes or fossils. He wrote and printed field guides so people knew what they were seeing and could appreciate their surroundings. He was an educator and loved to share his vast knowledge to kids and adults alike.
He was a board member for Child Evangelism Fellowship.
Dad spent a lot of his time and energy, as well as, donating many personal specimens, to help get the Northwest Science Museum up and running.
Anything my dad was a part of, he did with enthusiasm. He gave generously with his time to both family and friends. He enjoyed hunting his entire life, first with his dad, then friends and eventually his sons. He also mastered the art of bow hunting. He believed in eating what he hunted, and his freezer was always full of wild animals and birds.
Our dad loved to move his body. He was either running, biking or swimming laps. He completed multiple triathlons and exceeded in his age group.
He had a thirst for knowledge and read voraciously. Something he passed onto to his kids and grandkids.
Dad had a faith in God that was unflappable. He wanted to share his love for the Lord, his creator, always and to whomever he met.
He loved his family. He never missed his kids or grandkid’s sporting events and there were many of them over the years. He happily sat in the stands or watched on the field from the sidelines always cheering loudly, happy to be involved, with our mom by his side. They attended many school concerts, plays and music events.
There were many family trips over the years. Camping trips to the Oregon and California coast when we were younger. These adventures were in areas that most people wouldn’t think possible to get to, by car or foot. The uninhabited and less traveled areas were some of his favorites.
Later the trips were to Hawaii and Sun Valley, two of his favorite places. Dad and mom did some amazing cruises and trips throughout Europe, the Panama Canal, Fiji, Peru, Puerto Rico and Alaska. A trip that held special memories for him was a trip he took with Tyson to Cambodia.
Our dad is survived by his wife, Beverly. His 5 kids, Brenda Brooks(Rod), Tara(Derek), Todd(Sue), Autumn Ruschmeier and Tyson(Amelia). His 16 grandchildren, Mitchell, Brooke, Andrew, Michael, Courtney, Hailey, Seth, McKenna, Madison, Blake, Gavin, London, Mason, Aspen, Mateo and Mox and 1 great-grandchild, Carter.
Dad’s great passions in life were God, family, food, the great outdoors, Indian artifacts, fossils and rocks. He lived life to the fullest with infectious energy and our mom always by his side.