At an early age, the family moved to Choctaw, Oklahoma. He attended and graduated from Choctaw Public Schools. After graduation, Richard held a variety of jobs before he was hired as an assembly line worker at the General Motors plant in Midwest City. After the plant closed and Richard retired, he joined his father in servicing lawn mowers and other small engines as well as tractors. He cared for his parents, helping in any way he could, until his disabilities prohibited him from doing so.
Richard is preceded in death by his Parents; Raymond and Nadine Starkebaum.
He is survived by his Sisters; Susan Larman and Beverly Starkebaum, Niece; Melissa Rose and her husband Darin, Great-Nephews, Jacob, Kyle and Tony, and many aunts, uncles, and Starkebaum and Slate cousins.
