Michael W. Carte M.D., 63, of Nampa, Idaho died at home on Tuesday, September 2, 2008 from complications of prostate cancer.

Mike was born April 29, 1945 in Ann Arbor, Mich. to Vivian and Wayne Carte. He was the first born of four children. Growing up in Shelton, Wash. Mike acquired his love of nature. He attended the University of Puget Sound completing his Bachelors degree in 1967. Next he proceeded to the University of South Dakota, earning his Masters degree in 1968. Mike enlisted in the Air Force that year and continued his education at the University of Texas, San Antonio completing medical school in 1972.

During his Air Force service, 1968-1977, his most memorable post was in Greenland. He brought back many stories and a love of nature photography while simultaneously working in Primary Care Emergency Services. From 1979-2000 Mike was a physician of Emergency Services at Mercy Medical Center, Nampa, Idaho. Mike respected and admired his fellow physicians and cherished the many friendships he made throughout the years, even on his ornery days. In recent years he worked at MEPS, Choctaw Medical Services, and State of Idaho Division of Disability in Boise. The new friendships he developed were very meaningful to him.

In addition to his accomplished medical career, Mike followed his dream of becoming a wood craftsman. His contagious enthusiasm for learning and sharing knowledge of woodcrafting was an unsurpassed joy. He spent many hours in piles of woodchips with his good friends at Woodcraft. One of Mike's last heartfelt moments was their gift of Rocky the Second. Mike is survived by the love of his life, Alison; his son and daughter-in-law Jason and Tracy Carte, grandchildren Brian, Brad, and Jenna of East Aurora, N.Y.; his daughter and son-in-law Cindy and Jeff Wolf, grandchildren Jason and Hailey of Strykersville, N.Y.; his step-daughter and her husband Heidi and Josh White and unborn grandchild currently stationed in Germany; his step-daughter and her husband Jordyn and Sean Bixby and unborn grandchild of Fruitland, Idaho; brother Tim Carte and family of Polson, Mont.; sister Reta Ratcliffe and family of Scholls, Ore.; sister Kris Carte and family of Nampa, Idaho; special dogs Max and Meeka and cat Sugar. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Vivian Carte.

A special thank you for your compassionate care to Dr. Stephen Smith, Dr. Jonathan Swerdloff and their terrific staff at MSTI, Nampa, and Chris at St. Luke's Hospice.

Mike's last wishes were to not include a formal memorial service. Just know that he was thinking of you. Mike loved time he spent in Yellowstone National Park, so a thoughtful remembrance could include a memorial donation in his name to The Yellowstone Association, P.O. Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82910.