EWING — Robert A. Starrett died Sept. 16 at home. He was 79.
Born in Englewood, he lived his early life in Lawrence Township and in 1959 moved to Ewing Township where he resided until his death.
Mr. Starrett taught science at Ewing High School for 33 years.
He graduated from Trenton Catholic Boys’ High School in 1946 and attended St. Francis College, Loretto, Pa., before serving in the Navy for four years.
After cadet training at Pensacola, Fla., he became a naval officer and earned his “Wings of Gold.” He was a carrier-based pilot who served in VS-39 aboard the USS Antietam and the USS Valley Forge.
After his time in the Navy, he completed his undergraduate degree in biology at St. Francis and embarked on his teaching career.
During that time he earned his master’s degree at The College of New Jersey and later did graduate work at Adelphi College, Villanova, Rutgers University, and TCNJ.
He was a charter member of the U.S. Naval Air Museum in Pensacola, Fla.
He was an avid hunter and fisherman, both salt and fresh water. He was a longtime member of the Raritan Trout Club.
He was a lifelong horticulturist and upon retirement took up painting in oils and acrylics.
Son of the late Raymond A. and Gertrude L. Flucker Starrett, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Grace C. Starrett of Ewing; son Dr. Mark C. Starrett of Burlington, Vt.; daughter and son-in-law Anne S. Arroyo and Nephtali Arroyo of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; grandchildren Colin and Natalie Arroyo; brother John P. Starrett of Oscoda, Mich.; and two special caregivers.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018 or to the VNA of Mercer County Hospice Program, 171 Jersey St., Suite 201, P.O. Box 441, Trenton, NJ 08603.
Arrangements were by M. William Murphy Funeral Home, Ewing.
