Robert Irving Starr

Robert Irving Starr, 85, of Fort Collins. Robert was born on December 11,1932 in Laramie, Wyoming to parents, George Herman and Meriel Starr. Robert attended the University of Wyoming, majoring in Chemistry, and graduated in 1956. During his senior year, Bob met his future wife (Lavon) on a blind date; as, Bob. often said, this was the best thing that ever happened to him. After a whirlwind courtship, Bob and Lavon were married in 1956 and moved to Long Beach. CA. From 1956 to 1963, Bob was employed by the Shell Chemical Corp., received an M.S. degree and served an Army tour of duty in Alabama as a chemical officer; the couple had two children, Deborah and Kenneth during this period. Robert was a life-long conservative and a firm believer in the Second Amendment; he was a member of the NRA and enjoyed target shooting and pheasant hunting. Robert and Lavon joined the First Presbyterian Church upon moving to Fort Collins in 1963. Both were active members (ushers, school backpack program, etc.) and have served in Deacon/Elder positions. During a scientific career which spanned 33 years, Bob was employed by the Shell Chemical Corp., Colorado State University and USGS organizations; research involved pesticide chemistry (movement and degradation of compounds in plant and soil systems) and environmental concerns of coal and uranium mining. During his career, Bob published more than 30 referred publications and technical reports. Robert was a 50- plus-year ACS member, and was listed in American Men and Women of Science, Who's Who in the West and was elected to Sigma Xi and Gamma Sigma Delta honorary research societies. Bob received a Ph.D. in 1972 in Plant physiology/Biochemistry; since he did not have funds for full-time graduate studies; his Ph.D. course work was taken while working full time. Although research was important to Bob, family was his true love—wife, Lavon and children, Deborah and Kenneth. His summers were generally fully occupied with swimming, since both children were competitive swimmers. After retiring from the USDA in 1993, with both children out of college, married and working, Bob and Lavon resumed their courtship, which had been somewhat interrupted by family activities and graduate studies. The 40th Anniversary was celebrated with tandem skydiving; the 50th was celebrated in Hawaii with a helicopter ride over active volcanoes on the big island. Other adventures have included a hot air balloon ride3, and the driving of a NASCAR vehicle at the Colorado Springs race trace with son, Ken. Both Bob and Lavon enjoy being with one another; reading, dancing, mixed with some travel are activities enjoyed. In Bob’s words, “I have been blessed to be living close to our grandchildren, Chelsea, Julie, Evan, Connor and great granddaughter, Ava.” Our appreciation to Pathways Hospice and Brookdale Staff for their dedicated services to Robert during his illness. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Pathways Hospice of Fort Collins or First Presbyterian Church of Fort Collins in care of Bohlender Funeral Chapel, 121 W. Olive, Fort Collins, CO 80524. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, 531 S College Ave.

Tributes

Robert Irving Starr

December 11, 1932 - June 4, 2018