Grover Clair Carter, 88, passed away Feb. 24, 2008, at his home with family by his side. A Memorial Mass will be conducted at St. Mary’s Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1.

Grover was born Sept 17, 1919, to Ezra and Pearl Carter, of Logan, Utah, the eldest of five children. He grew up in that scenic university town where he developed a lifelong passion for the natural world, giving generously to institutions working to preserve it.

He received his Bachelor of Science in chemistry at Utah State, where his father and uncle were both professors. The two brothers quarreled over a borrowed book and didn’t speak to each other the remainder of their lives. This event made a profound impression upon the young man and perhaps explained why Grover became known for his diplomacy, ability to forgive, and acceptance of others with differing views.

His wisdom and counsel were continually sought and respected by his extended family. Everyone, it seems, loved Grover.

Grover married his college sweetheart, Grace Anderson, and pursued a medical doctorate at Stanford University with full scholarship, completing a surgical residency there. He joined the Army Medical Corps and served aboard a hospital ship studying the radiation effects of atomic bombs in the South Pacific.

By the end of military service the couple had resided in many parts of the country, but after scouting the Pacific Northwest, settled in Hood River Valley and believed they had found Paradise.

A voracious reader, Grover counted “Lasso The Wind: Discovering the Northwest” as one of his all-time favorite books and he relished all the West’s offerings for over half a century: river rafting, hiking, fishing, and camping were among his favorite vacations. The family always returned home with a sack full of others’ garbage as part of Grover’s efforts to keep our planet beautiful long before public consciousness about littering had been raised.

The 46-year union with Grace brought forth six children, five of whom survive: Claire Carter, of Portland; Dr, Alan Carter, of Silverwood; Dr. Ralph Carter, of Hood River; Ellen Carter, of Los Gatos, Calif.; and Gail Arends, of The Dalles. Daughter Lynne preceded her father in death in 1986. He lost his beloved Grace to cancer a year later. He counted these two events as the worst things that ever happened to him.

During his long and productive life Grover became a world traveler, visiting every continent. In 1991 he flew to Hawaii just to better glimpse the solar eclipse. After a long day of work at the office/hospital Grover could be found tending his flock of free Canadian geese, moving irrigation pipe, grafting fruit trees, shearing sheep, tending a collection of exotic flora, bee hives, and whatever else it took to maintain and nurture his farm and garden: a place of respite, contentment and renewal.

In 1987 Grover married the former Berna Jean Saulie, the second love of his life. He continued to practice medicine until the age of 75, retiring from the Hood River Medical Group in 1995.

The couple enjoyed travel, working in their large garden, dance club, bird watching, family reunions, the Internet and e-mail. Intellectually gifted and curious to his last days, Grover was an astronomy and science fan, consuming Scientific American and printing the “astronomy picture of the day” off the Internet.

They were volunteers at the senior center, where they spent much time delivering Meals on Wheels. They were members of, and regularly attended St Mary’s.

Grover could not bear to be without BJ’s company. Whether it was a trip out of town or just a dash to the store, he always insisted on going and she always insisted on taking him everywhere. The two became inseparable. Her loving care and skills as a registered nurse supported him steadily through many trials as his health slowly declined.

Grover adored his children and grandchildren as well as BJ’s: Mary Kay Saulie, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Janet Saulie, of Lummi Island, Wash., Barbara Saulie, of Lynden, Wash., and John Saulie, of Spokane, Wash.

He is survived by 16 grandchildren: Katie, Fletcher, Melissa, Danielle, Neil, Emily, Allison, John, Joel, Holly, Brandon, Andrew, Axel, Colin, Grace, and Collin; and two great-grandchildren: Kaia and Carter. He was adored in return. We will all greatly miss his kindness, generosity, gentle ways, and tender and loving heart.

The family suggests that remembrances be made in memory of Grover to Hospice of the Gorge in care of Anderson’s.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center (Funerals, Receptions, Cremations), 1401 Belmont Ave., Hood River, OR 97031; (541) 386-1000. Please sign Grover’s register book and print a copy of this obituary and picture at www.andersonstributecenter.com.