STARR, Richard B. (1932-2021)

STARR

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/4/2022 at 15:58:20

Richard Blake Starr
(June 17, 1932 - May 23, 2021)

Dick Starr, age 88, born June 17, 1932, in Newton, Iowa, oldest son of Merle and Edith Starr, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2021, in Indianola. Coach Starr spent 30 years teaching and coaching at Simpson College in Indianola, including 12 as the head basketball coach, and retired as chair of the Physical Education department and head men’s and women’s tennis coach. He developed the college’s sports medicine program, serving as the program’s director, and also served as an assistant football coach early in his tenure at the school. He earned Conference Coach-of-the-Year honors in both men’s basketball and women’s tennis.
As an Iowa prep player at Newton High School, he was a three-year letter winner and starter in basketball. Starr played both center and forward helping Newton to the 1949 State High School Basketball Tournament. He also was a starting quarterback, punter and kicker for legendary Newton Football Coach W.L. “Ole” Eidahl. In track, he excelled as a high jumper and in the football throw, placing in the Drake Relays. Starr was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2018.
A 1956 graduate of Drake University, Dick lettered on the school’s basketball team after transferring from Central College where he started as a freshman. As a Bulldog, he also was a member of the track and field squad. His college years at Drake were interrupted by a stint in the U.S. Army (Armor) where he served at Fort Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. Dick also played basketball alongside many other Division I players stationed at Fort Rich. His team won both the All-Army and All-Service Championships. In addition to his basketball success, Dick was one of the top marksmen on the base and was offered a chance to try out for the Army’s sharpshooting squad. Immediately prior to his military service in Alaska, Dick married Nancy who joined him after a wedding in Annapolis, MD, where he was temporarily stationed.
After receiving an Honorable Discharge, Dick and Nancy returned to Des Moines where he received his bachelor’s degree at Drake in education with a minor in physical education. He later earned a master’s degree in education with minors in physical education and kinesiology, an academic course he later taught nearly his entire tenure at Simpson.
At Indianola High School, Starr taught U.S. History and coached several sports. As head basketball coach, he compiled a 120-41 record. His track squads featured several conference individual champions and also captured conference titles. He remained at IHS until 1967 when he moved across town to Simpson College. He was later inducted into the Indianola High School Hall of Fame, joining his daughter, Dana.
A lifetime dedicated to learning, teaching, and coaching; “Granddad” also loved to spend time with his family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Merle and Edith Starr; wife of 56 years, Nancy; and daughter Dana Petersen. He is survived by his wife Donna; son Dave Starr (Karen); son-in-law Tom Petersen (Monica); step-children Karen Eilert-Perkins, Kristen Eilert-Kay (Alon) and David Eilert; grandchildren Emily (Jeff) Goral, Carli Petersen (Scott LaBine); Grace Starr, and Erika Starr; sisters Diana (Donald) Vogel and Cathy (Wayne) Anderson; brother Tom (Cathy) Starr; step-grandchildren Asher and Noam Kay, Jessie Johnson (Scott), Sara Eilert (Erin Flynn), Melissa Rose (Fred) and Will Eilert (Claire). Visitation (1:00-3:00 p.m.) and memorial service (3:00 p.m.) on Saturday, June 19, 2021, at First United Methodist Church of Indianola (307 W. Ashland Ave. in Indianola). Burial services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Simpson College Athletics, c/o Dick Starr, (701 North C Street, Indianola, Iowa 50125). This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/