Veteran dies saving employee from gunman

Family, friends remember Carter’s kindness
SHEILA HAGAR
WALLA WALLA UNION-BULLETIN

MILTON-FREEWATER - Everyone knew Rob Carter, friends and family of the Milton-Freewater native said Saturday.

Carter, 58, died Friday doing just what he was known for - cherishing and protecting those he loved. When a gunman entered Carter's business shop, Carter threw himself over his employee to shield her from gunfire, McKenzie Marly said.

That's how her father did things, she explained. "He took care of everyone."

Cecil "Rob" Carter was born to Ray and Kathy Carter on July 18, 1953. He and his brothers, Alan and Cliff, found plenty of trouble to get into, much of it fights among themselves, Marly, 33, said, reciting family legend. "But if anyone messed with any one of them, you had to deal with ‘The Carter Boys.' That's what they were known as. But they were brothers in every way."

The family, living in the home place on Chuckhole Lane, had orchards west of town and raised Christmas tress in the mountains. Rob attended McLoughlin Union High School and went into the U.S. Army, serving in Germany.

Carter married his high school sweetheart, Pam Kemp. They later divorced, family members said.
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