Dick went peacefully home to be with his heavenly Father on July 14, 2023. He is survived by his devoted wife of 59 years, Marlene A. Starr. His children R. Jeffre (Mary) Starr, Jennifer (Bret) Burrows, and R. Jeremy (Christine) Starr. Grandchildren Cody (Laurelle) Burrows, Connor Burrows, Kassidy Burrows, Jenna Windheim, Taylor Windheim, and Great Grandson Owen Burrows.
Dick was a Penfield Central School Science teacher for 32 years. He enjoyed teaching and his students. He and Marlene would take students backpacking and cross-country skiing. He had been a member of Perinton Community Church since 1972. In high school he was a two-time Alleghany county first string basketball player who took his team to the regional finals.
He loved the outdoors and passionately served as the President of NYFOA (NY Forest Owners Association) for over 25 years; authoring many articles. He was an avid hunter and had a keen interest for reading and learning. Skills he honed over the years included making his own maple syrup, knapping, hide tanning, gardening, and even making his own charcoal. When he decided he wanted a barn, he did the research to learn how to build one, purchased a sawmill to mill his own lumber and then spent the following few years building a beautiful two-story structure. He also enjoyed biking, kayaking, boating and sailing. In addition, he and Marlene traveled the country; seeing all 50 states.
The Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 22nd at 2pm at Perinton Community Church 636 High Street Ext., Fairport and live streamed at: https://vimeo.com/event/510280/embed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Rochester Youth For Christ https://yfcrochester.org/#donate or POBox 30069, Rochester, NY 14603).
Comments
13 responses to “Starr, Richard Raymond”
You welcomed me and the girls into your family almost 15 years ago. We are honored to be a part of the family that you created and loved so deeply. I will miss you very much and will always smile when I think of you.
A truly great man. With such a wide range of abilities. Be it athletics, outdoorsman, handy work, wood working, hunting and fishing. Most of all, you loved to share in your expansive knowledge. One of the best teachers I have ever had. Jeremy is one of my oldest, and most respected friends. I am honored to be associated with your family. Rest in peace.
My dad had a sharp wit, a keen eye, and a nickname for everyone & everything. He loved God, his family, nature, working with his hands, & counting by half’s. 😉 He was a superstar athlete, & even at 80, he led us to a first place finish in a corn hole tournament. I’ll miss you, Dad & I’ll cherish my memories of you. ~Love always, your daughter, “Pooh Bear”
My father in law, Dick, treated me like one of his sons. We had many common interests, like wood working & hunting, & we shared tools and worked together on many projects, including building hunting huts at the farm. He cleverly named them all: the hut, the track shack, the road house, the twin towers, the silver stand & more. I’ll miss my hunting buddy & will always remember the good times we shared.
Hello Dick, I always enjoyed getting together with you whether at church, science teacher events, hunting and all that preparatory work – planning food plots, building tree stands and shelters and dragging deer! You were my go to man for advice on planting trees and grapes plus much else. Your wit, humor, knowledge and friendship will be missed until we meet again in the here after. Bob
Mr Starr was my Earth Science teacher in 9th grade and childhood neighbor. He inspired a life long passion for astronomy and nature. God Bless you ? Prayers for the entire family.
Deepest condolences,
Chuck Canham
I taught with Dick for a number of years at Penfield High School. Dick was an excellent, innovative teacher of Earth Science, and well-liked by his students. God’s Peace to you, Marlene, and your family.
Dick was a neighbor and friend through our pre-college years, however since he married Marlene, my first cousin, he has been a cousin-in-law to current days. We camped, toured the Richburg hills, went berrying, hunting, Youth For Christ outings and monthly rallies and attended the First Day Baptist Church together. I would consider Dick a teen age best friend. We have stayed in communication all our lives! After all, he was my cousin! We have helped each other with projects and enjoyed concerts in Florida together in our retiring years. Dick even experimented with growing cultured fruit on his thorn apple trees through grafting. Ingenius! Always fun! Our prayers are with Marlene and the family. God Bless each of you! by: Cousin Gary
My heart breaks for the Starr family’s loss of their amazing patriarch. Our families met through Perrinton Community Church in the 1970s. All the kids were the same age so I grew up camping and hiking with Dick and his family. I don’t know if he ever knew the full impact his example had on me. He had a do-it-yourself work ethic that led to a lifetime of achievements never intended to impress others, but only to satisfy his wide-ranging curiosity in the world God created for him to explore. Thank you, Dick. Well done good and faithful servant. Marlene, Jeff, Jennifer, and Jeremy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, Jeff Forrest.
When hearing of Dick’s passing, everyone of our children recalled the many camping and hiking trips we did with the Starr family. I remember one Sunday we learned a new chorus at church. That afternoon, we went hiking on the Finger Lakes Trail and we must have sung that chorus a dozen times–nobody but ourselves to hear the singing and we could sing as loud as we wanted. When hiking, the kids would often take off running ahead of us and maybe 20-30 minutes later, we would catch up to them waiting for the us. The two families enjoyed being together. We cannot duplicate those memories, but we will cherish them all of our lives. Dick’s passing has left a large vacuum in our lives. We are thankful that we had many good times together. The Forrests send our love to Marlene, Jeff, Jennifer, Jeremy, their spouses, their children and spouse, and great grandchild. Dick, we’ll see you later in our Father’s house. Mark us some nice trails to follow!
Jenn & Bret & Starr family:
Our condolences on the passing of your dad. I know that he will be missed. We just received the news. Our love goes out to all who are grieving and God’s comfort and peace are wished for now and in the days to follow.
Nancy,Gregg and Brad Scott
Mr. Starr was a wonderful, dedicated teacher. My children, Christian and Kathleen, were his students.
I am so sorry to hear of Mr. Starr’s death. He was my absolute favorite teacher (Earth Science at Penfield High School in 1973). He was engaging, kind, and a fantastic teacher. At the time, I did not realize how important it was that he encouraged girls as well as boys to be inquisitive life long learners of anything that interested them. I carried some of his passion for science through my career as a research scientist. My heartfelt condolences go to his whole family!