By Bob Funkhouser
Most everyone reading this has never heard the name Robert Carter; however, if you’ve been a subscriber or reader of Walking Horse Report you have seen and appreciated his work for some 48 years. Having retired from the Dabora, Inc. family late last year, Carter began with the Report in 1980.

Carter was the man in the film room for all these years, making sure that your images that were being published on newsprint had the very best chance of being a product we would all be proud of. One of the many amazing attributes about our co-worker is how he seamlessly made the transition from camera work in the dinosaur age to the ever-changing digital climate of today. He was a master of both.

He was there when this writer went to work for the Report in 1983, right out of college. “We had this camera that was the size of a medium tractor and we used a process called Positive Metallic Transfer, which made a ‘PMT’ of your picture, and that is what was put on the paste board where your ad was created,” said Executive Editor Bob Funkhouser.  “Many times, we worked from tear sheets or poor original images, and the PMT image would come out pixelated and not suitable for printing. Robert would make a few adjustments on the camera, wave his magic wand and bam, a suitable image would emerge.

“Robert danced to his own tune throughout his life but was a good friend to several of us in the Dabora family. Even when I moved north and would see him only ever so often, we would pick up right where we left off. Personally and professionally, he was A-1!”

Steve Morrow is our co-worker who was probably the closest with Carter. Those two enjoyed a lot of challenges, adventures and shenanigans, both on and off the clock.

“Robert was a great friend. We spent a lot of time together,” said Morrow. “Robert was Robert, but we always had a lot of fun. In his job it was amazing to see how he changed with the times and technology, keeping us up-to-date with the film process.”

“Robert was like family. I’ve known him virtually my whole life, and we weathered lots of ups and downs together. He was the kindest, gentlest person in the world, and he had a work ethic second to none. His heart beat for Dabora and all of our publications, and he was one of the foundational people who made us who we are,” said Publisher Christy Howard Womack.

Dabora matriarch Mary Howard said “I remember Robert and all the years of his faithfulness to Dabora. Nobody worked harder and longer hours than Robert. He was a young man when he came to us and I watched him through all the changes at Dabora. No one was more faithful than Robert or more willing to embrace the new challenges. But he was not all work. He and Steve [Morrow] would come up with lots of ideas and jokes to play on us. I will always remember Robert.”

Jeffrey Howard added “You just can’t tell the story of Dabora without Robert Carter. He was always such a huge part of our family business; and I don’t ever remember a time that he was not a part of not just Dabora, but our family. We will miss him greatly, and Dabora has lost a part of its core framework with the passing of Robert.”

Design department manager Rhonda Dunn worked very closely with Robert. “Robert was involved in every Dabora publication; and he probably knew more about Dabora’s publications than the rest of us put together!
“He always took great pride in every publication we produced. He worked very hard to ensure every page of every publication was as perfect as humanly and technically possible. 

“Robert was great at keeping a tense, gotta-get-it-done-NOW-PERFECTLY atmosphere lighter and actually fun. He shared his knowledge with us all; everyone who worked with him through the years in the Design department learned from him and respected him.

“Although he tried to hide it, Robert felt things deeply. He cared so much about the people he worked with, and it truly seemed to hurt him when any of us were hurting. I’ll miss Robert, his compassion and his humor. Having him as a friend and a co-worker was an honor.”

Front office manager Jenny Wright added, “Robert was my go-to guy. He kept many unique things at his desk. If you needed a phillips head screwdriver – Robert had it. Need a candle for a birthday cake? Robert probably had something that would work. He was always willing to help in any project with a smile on his face and a funny story to share.”

Robert added to the “Dabora lore” as much as any employee we’ve ever had. We could fill pages and pages with the many funny stories and ways he bound us all together. He was one of a kind, and he will never be forgotten.

So, Robert we raise our glasses and toast you for the years of friendship and producing the best product possible. As we raise these glasses, know that Deep Purple is blasting Smoke On The Water in the background and we are sad that you are no longer with us, but extremely grateful that you were such a big part of our lives.