Dr. Edwin N. Carter (Ed), 78, of Fairfax Station, Virginia, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 17, 2026, surrounded by his family. Diagnosed in January with cholangiocarcinoma, a relatively rare and aggressive cancer, Ed spent the next nine months pursuing every possible treatment option with the determination and curiosity that defined so much of his life.

Born on January 9, 1948, in Wilmington, Delaware, to Frances and Donald Carter, Ed had a lifelong love of learning and a commitment to helping others. He earned his B.A. in Psychology with Distinction from the University of Virginia, followed by his M.S. and Ph.D. in Bioneuropsychology and Clinical Psychology from the University of Massachusetts.

Ed's career as a clinical psychologist and educator spanned nearly five decades. After early academic roles at the State University of New York and George Mason University, he founded Associated Clinical Services (ACS), a mental health practice, in the early 1990s. As President and CEO, he built a practice offering psychological testing, counseling, and therapy, including services for individuals with complex clinical and forensic needs. He was equally committed to training and mentoring future professionals in psychology and counseling.

Ed never shied away from challenging cases and was known for his creativity, clinical knowledge, and willingness to approach problems differently. He trained and supervised hundreds of students, interns, and residents throughout his career, encouraging them to think beyond traditional approaches and find better ways to help their patients. From his early research in neuropsychology and juvenile recidivism and his work in computerized psychological reporting, to the development of ACS itself, Ed was always looking for new ideas and better ways of doing things.

Outside of his professional life, Ed was a devoted husband and father, a lifelong animal lover, and a man with seemingly endless interests. He took great pride in his children and readily encouraged and supported them in their various pursuits. He also took pride in building a practice that could provide opportunities for his family and become something they could share in together.

He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Margie Carter; his four children, Jason, Ryan, Lindsay, and Megan; his brother, Arnie; and his seven grandchildren – Ronan, Gregg, Paige, James, Kiera, Bryce, and Cameron. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and Donald.

Animals were always special to Ed, and over the years, his pets were very much part of the family. After losing his beloved cat Mo in August, he welcomed a new friend, Mango, in September. He also shared his life with many other cherished animals, including his cats Mr. Gray Brutus, Whisper, Heidi, and Domino, and his horses Clancy and JR.

Ed was incredibly knowledgeable, generous, and quick-witted. He seemed to know a little bit (or a lot) about everything. He was a formidable Jeopardy opponent and quite the strategist at the blackjack table and sportsbook. He could hold a conversation and court on pretty much any subject. He was also a dedicated Washington sports fan and an enthusiastic follower of college sports, particularly UVA and Kentucky. He loved Elvis and appreciated almost every kind of music. He could break into song without warning and never hesitated to adjust the lyrics as needed.

Whether he was discussing a complicated clinical case, offering advice, or telling a joke, Ed had a way of making people think, laugh, and see things from a different perspective. He also had an unbeatable taste in snacks.

Above all, Ed loved sharing what he knew, helping others, and enjoying life with the people and animals he loved. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the many people whose lives he touched.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Ed's memory to Best Friends Animal Society or the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation.