Harold Ola Carter
Dec. 13, 1932 — Sept. 22, 2011
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Harold O. Carter (Hal), devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Hal died surrounded by family who loved and cherished him.
He was born in 1932 in Eaton Rapids, Mich., to Lillian and Ola Carter. In 1952 he married Janet M. Edgar, his wife of 59 years and the love of his life. After graduating from Michigan State University and receiving his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1958, he moved to Davis. He joined UC Davis as an assistant and, later, a professor of agricultural economics where he served as department chair for two terms.
His research quest, perhaps inspired by his love of gardening, was improving the world food shortage through agriculture. This led him to serve as a visiting professor in Italy, Australia, Sweden, and Austria and was the recipient of numerous awards and authored many publications related to his respective field. In 1969 he served as a Senior Staff Economist for President Nixon.
Post-retirement, Harold enjoyed travel, reading, and growing a community garden for his neighbors. He was particularly proud of recently earning his black belt in Taekwondo at the age of 79. He will be sorely missed for his generosity, wonderful sense of humor, and keen intellect.
He is survived by his wife, Janet; daughters, Teresa (Walt), Lisa (Sam), Alison; sons Brian (Lori) and Michael; brother Robert; sister Patricia; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, at Paradise Valley Estates in Fairfield.
Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=86910
Posted by Special to The Enterprise
on Oct 1 2011.
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I had the pleasure of working with Hal Carter for the past two years and was deeply saddened to learn of his passing. Most of our work was done by email and through all those emails – a sentence or two here, a paragraph there – I saw his humor, his insight, and his deep concern for the people around him come through even the most mundane communications. I would have liked to have had the chance to get to know him better and I know there are many many people who grieve his passing.