Honored Snohomish County engineer dies of brain cancer

Published 1:30 am Friday, February 24, 2017

LAKE STEVENS — A Snohomish County engineer who was honored this week with a lifetime achievement award as he battled brain cancer has died from his illness.

Owen Carter was 58. Carter worked for 24 years for the county, where he rose to become the deputy public works director. His friend and boss, public works Director Steve Thomsen, informed staff in an email that Carter had passed away peacefully Friday afternoon.

Originally from Lake Stevens, Carter earned his engineering degree from the University of Washington. His career included stints with the city of Marysville and the state Department of Transportation.

He was diagnosed with cancer in mid-2014.

Known as a hard worker with an upbeat attitude, Carter received the inaugural Snohomish County Public Works Professional Achievement Award on Tuesday.