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<p><em>Robert Lee “Bobby” Carter</em> was born in Illinois on October 13, 1954 to Naggie and Katie Carter. Since childhood, Bobby had wanted to serve his country. After high school he attended the U.S. Military Academy Prep School and entered USMA on July 8, 1973.</p>
<p>During his time at USMA, Bobby was a corps squad fencer, lettering for three years and serving as the Fencing Team’s assistant coach as a firstie. Bobby was also a member of the Behavioral Sciences Club for four years. The club explored the psychological and social interface between the military and society. His involvement in the club made a significant impression on Bobby, which he renewed later in life. Bobby was a happy, positive cadet with a great smile. He kept a low profile but at times displayed a gung-ho attitude. For example, in the Mess Hall, as cadets were praying before meals, Bobby would follow the “Amen” with a loud and spirited “Airborne!” Heaven must have loved it. </p>
<p>At Branch Night, Bobby selected Infantry, due to his desire to lead infantry soldiers. Following graduation, he attended Infantry Officer Basic Course at Fort Benning, GA and then went to his first assignment at Fort Knox, KY from 1978 to 1981. It was there that he learned how to employ mechanized infantry with armor. After Fort Knox, Bobby continued to hone his infantry skills while assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in South Korea. As a soldier-leader in the “Indianhead” division, Bobby was part of the force assigned to guard portions of the Demilitarized Zone. Throughout the 1980s, North Korean forces were engaging in increasing border incursions and infiltration attempts, and 2nd Infantry Division was called upon to halt these attacks. Bobby was assigned to the division when the 2nd Infantry Division and its soldiers were awarded the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation on June 14,1982 for their dedicated role to ensure readiness in deterring conflict on the Korean peninsula. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, Bobby sustained a medical condition and was unable to continue active duty, and the Secretary of the Army approved his retirement as captain in 1983. </p>
<p>Bobby took his engineering skills and Army experience and put them to use as a senior concept design engineer for General Dynamics Land Systems. Bobby was part of the team that developed the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank equipped with a 120 mm cannon, introduced in 1985. He was promoted in 1987 to an engineering supervisor and held this position until 1990. This was the first in a series of increasing positions of responsibility in product development and program management. </p>
<p>After earning a Master of Science degree in 1990, Bobby joined Ford Motors as a powertrain planner, responsible for strategizing and planning the development and implementation of vehicle powertrains, including engines, transmissions, and drivetrains across Ford’s vehicle lines. </p>
<p>Promoted in 1993 as a Ford product development manager, Bobby combined his engineering and management skills to improve production from start to finish, making products on time to quality standards. Well known in the Detroit area, he was recruited to join an automotive parts supplier in 1996. For the next year and a half, he was a program manager at Chivas Products Ltd., a manufacturer of plastic interior trim parts. Another plastic manufacturer, Randall Textron, hired Bobby away in 1997 to become senior project manager of designing, manufacturing, and supplying plastic fuel systems to Detroit automakers. From 1999 to 2001, he was an engineering program manager for General Motors Truck Group, involved with improvements to GM’s popular trucks. </p>
<p>Bobby’s continuing success led to him being hired by Bosch, Inc. as senior account manager from 2001 to 2002. He managed key client accounts, maintained customer relationships, drove revenue growth, and oversaw day-to-day account management activities, including mentoring junior managers and developing new business. </p>
<p>In 2002 Bobby changed the direction of his professional life. Possibly inspired by his experience in the Behavioral Sciences Club at West Point, he began training in naturopathic healing. In 2004 he graduated from Trinity College of Natural Health and began a career as a naturopathic doctor. His practice as a homeopathic physician was in Farmington, MI and the surrounding community. In addition to homeopathic medicines, Bobby specialized in treating eating and sleeping ailments. For 20 years he helped patients experience a natural way to improve their health and healing. </p>
<p>Bobby passed away on February 4, 2024. He is survived by his wife, Min Ok Carter; daughter, Kimberly Suzanne Carter; and son, Jonathan Bernard Carter.</p>
<p>Bobby had an easy-going nature and a love of life. His ability to know and understand people greatly contributed to his success as a leader and manager. Upon learning of his death, a colleague commented, “His presence and humor will be sorely missed.”</p>
<p>Be at peace, Bobby. We salute you.</p>
<p><em>— Tom Conneran and Classmates</em></p>
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