Robert Bob Lewis Starr

Bob Starr was born at Saratoga Hospital in Detroit, Michigan on December 8, 1942. He was the middle of five children born to Lewis Lee Starr and Phyllis Morrill Starr. He already had an older brother, James Grant, an older sister Gail and was still waiting for his two younger sisters Diann and Kay Marie. He grew up in East Detroit, Michigan, now known as Eastpointe.

As a child he had a whole neighborhood of friends to play with and they especially loved playing baseball and getting into mischief. His older sister Gail was also a constant playmate and taught him the art of throwing stones at passing cars!

Bob went to Grant Junior High School and East Detroit High School and graduated in 1961. While in high school he was very active in sports, but not quite as active in studying. He wrestled, was Captain of the football team, but his first love was always baseball.

It was also in high school that he met his first and only love, a tall, shy girl by the name of Sandra Starr. He pursued her diligently until she finally gave in and accepted a date with him. Their first date was a hayride and while all the other couples were spending time being romantic, he was trying to push everyone off the hay wagon.

After high school he and his best friend, Tom Curnow, enrolled at Port Huron Community College and he continued his crazy antics, seeming to forget the real purpose of college. It was there that Uncle Sam found him and he was off to the Army. After training in the states, he was sent to Viet Nam in 1967, where he served for 7 months. During that time both Sandy’s father and his father died, and he was sent home for his father’s funeral. God has his ways of carrying out his plans and shortly later on April 26, 1968 they were married.

Bob went to work as a welder and met an older man by the name of Uncle Steve who took Bob under his wing. He loved his work, but now with a baby on the way, Sandy encouraged him to take a job offer with IBM. He ended up working for IBM for 26 years.

Laurie Madeline Starr, the other love of his life, was born on May 11, 1969. He adored her and gave up all his crazy antics to be with her and be the best father anyone could ever ask for.

He finished an Associates Degree at Macomb Community College and devoted his life to his two girls. He always put them first and never questioned Sandy’s restless spirit and gypsy like ways of wanting to move to a new house every two or three years. The total number of moves was around 20.

Bob also took the girls and his mother in law, Florence, on many wonderful vacations around the country. He loved to explore back roads and was fascinated by trains and railroad cars. One of his last trips was to Niota, Tennessee where his father was born and worked at the railroad. We took a tour of the old Niota train station and visited the cemetery where his father was buried.

In 1994 and 2002 his list of girls expanded. His granddaughters, Ashley Elizabeth Starr Parker and Julia Caroline Starr Nagy were added to his life and once again he became enthralled. Ashley was his constant companion for many years, and when he retired in 1997 he devoted every available hour to her. She in turn has loved him and looked upon him as her hero. Julia was a ray of sunshine added to his life and he enjoyed her as a doting Papa.

After both Bob and Sandy retired in 1997 they settled into a very comfortable life,. spending time in both Michigan and Florida. In Florida they had the company of Sandy’s brother Al and his wife Darlene. Bob and Al spent many hours on the golf course and enjoyed a very close friendship.

Bob was a quiet person as he got older and chose his friends very carefully. First and foremost he loved his family and his dogs: Suzie, Buddy and Vinnie. Sandy was his best friend and constant companion, especially the last year, as they were always together.

Bob will be missed by everyone- family, friends, wonderful neighbors, but especially by Sandy who has lost her one true love. She is waiting patiently for the day when they will be together forever.

Bob Starr was a true hero and inspiration to all.