print this page

Richard E. Starr, Sr.

Richard E. Starr, Sr., 95, of Kittanning, PA, died Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Armstrong County Health Center.

He was born March 2, 1921 in Kittanning, the son of John A. and Emma F. (Walker) Starr.

Richard graduated from Kittanning High School in 1938 and for three years was a pitcher for the Butler Yankees baseball team. He then honorably served in the US Army during World War II and after returning home in 1945, entered the minor leagues. After nearly 10 years of pitching for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators, he retired from baseball in 1956. Richard then went to work as a processing clerk at Allegheny Ludlum in Leechburg, retiring in 1982 after 26 years.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kittanning and volunteered as a Red Coat for many years at Armstrong County Memorial Hospital. Richard was also a dedicated Mason and was Past Master at F&AM Kittanning Lodge #244, a 32nd-degree Mason at the New Castle Consistory and member of the Orient Royal Arch #247. For a number of years, he coached for Tri-County League baseball and local Little League baseball teams. Richard was also a life member of the Professional Baseball Players Association and was inducted into the Armstrong County Sports Hall of Fame on January 13, 1973, also serving on the organization's Board of Directors.

His memory will be cherished by his loving wife of nearly 75 years, Bonnie I. (Leech) Starr, whom he married February 8, 1942; sons, Richard E. Starr, Jr., of Kittanning, and Rev. William J. Starr and wife, Nancy, of Elizabeth, PA; daughter, Carolyn J. Gallaher, of Kittanning; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Richard was predeceased by his parents; granddaughter, Amy Gallaher; grandson, David M. Gallaher; brother, John A. Starr; sisters, Imogene Steffy and Pauline Starr; son-in-law, David Gallaher; and a daughter-in-law, Linda (Labutka) Starr.

Relatives and friends will be received from 2-4 and 7-9 PM on Friday, January 20, 2017 at Bauer Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., 515 N. McKean St., Kittanning, where a Masonic service will be held at 7 PM.

Additional visitation will be from 10 AM until the time of funeral services at 11 AM on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Wade Berkey officiating.

Burial will be in Lawn Haven Burial Estates, Worthington, Pennsylvania, where military honors will be presented by the Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard.

print this page