Robert M. Carter

ROBERT M. CARTER, JR. February 20, 1920 - November 29, 2012 At 92, Bob Carter from St. Petersburg, Florida passed away Thursday at Bay Pines VA Hospital in Pinellas County Florida. He is survived by his loving family: Genevieve Rita Carter of St. Petersburg, his sister; Pamela Baird, niece from Conyers GA; Brad Baird, nephew from Lilburn, GA and Brad's wife Lynn; Great nephew Brett Baird of Vail, CO; and great niece Ashley Baird of Lithonia, GA. Bob was born in Tampa, Florida, one of six children - siblings Earl L (Buddy), Rita, Mary, Alouise and William. He graduated from Jesuit High School and a member of Sacred Heart Church and Sacred Heart Academy. At 16 during the depression, Bob traveled to Detroit to work with family and train with Rabies's Florist and Greenhouses. At the start of the Second World War he enlisted in the United States Army in 1942. During World War II, Bob was a Master Sargent, serving in Burma on front-line bases moving gold and supplies over the Himalayans to insurgents assisting the Allied Forces. He received a commendation award of a Bronze Star Medal from the Commanding General, India, China Division, Air Transport Command in the China Burma, India Theatre in October 10, 1944. After the war, Bob returned to St. Petersburg and opened Carter's landscaping, later expanded to Carter's Florist and Greenhouses, Inc. Bob was very involved in leadership committees with the FTD. He pioneered flower import ordering from Holland, Hawaii and later, from South America. This provided St. Petersburg customers with year-round exotic fresh flowers. With close friend, Dick Karnehm and Bob's family, he rapidly expanded his business to additional locations in Pinellas. Bob's business contracts included the many, but notably the holiday adornments at St Jude's Cathedral. A photo sample is shown in the photo section on this website. In the early 90's, Bob retired and sold his business. He continued to consult over the years and as a result, he remained close friends with current owner, Terry Hagstrom, who treasured the quality traditions and strong local reputation. In recent years, Bob became more involved with his own parish, St. Raphael Church. He joined the prayer group offering prayers for the sick or infirmed. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels and worked for several years delivering to those in need. At his home on Snell Isle, where he built a large greenhouse and collected rare and unusual hybrid Orchids As a result, he was frequently asked by the West Coast Orchid Society to host tours of his collection. In life, Bob Carter was a missionary for God's work on earth. He delivered the beauty of nature and blooms to weddings and celebrations, customizing art and professional design. Bob gave his time, treasure and talents to his faith family. He helped many in his community, he cherished his friends, he glued his family bonds and on this earth, God's hand worked through him.