Stephen Starch
July 27, 2018
Stephen Starch, died Friday, July 27, 2018 at the age of 87. Born in Dayton Ohio and raised in Charleston West Virginia, Steve became an Eagle Scout, and after joining the Air Force earned his pilots wings at Marana AFB in Arizona. He earned an Aeronautical Engineering degree from the University of Cincinnati, where he met Ann Carson; they were married in 1955. Steve worked for Boeing Wichita, first in the aerodynamics group then in product design, and after graduating from a six-month intensive course at the Defense Systems Management College, went on to manage a KC-135 winglet contract with NASA and re-engining programs for that aircraft, eventually becoming responsible for all Boeing aerial tanker activities. He retired in 1993 as a Director of the Boeing company. Steve and Ann loved learning and travel; they attended almost 100 Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) programs in the US and all over the world. Steve also found time to volunteer at the Wichita Public Library and mentor students learning robotics in the Kansas BEST program. Per his wishes, no service will be held. Steve was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Nel Starch, a sister, Marilyn Kneisley; and a daughter, Kathleen Starch. He is survived by his wife Ann, children Michael S. (Cathryn) Starch, Jonathan (David France) Starch, and Susan (Martin) Burdick, and grandchildren Michael D. Starch, Stephanie Starch, Benjamin Burdick, and Andrew Burdick. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established with the Wichita Art Museum, 1400 W. Museum Blvd., Wichita, KS 67203. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.
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I am trully and deeply sorry for your loss. My warmest condolences go out to the family and friends of Stephen. May the God of all comfort grant you peace and strength during this difficult time (psalm 29:11)
Steve was a good friend and colleague. I have many fond memories of the years we worked together at Boeing 1958-1963. Steve mentored me when I wrote my first computer program to calculate B-52 performance (before FORTRAN). Prior to that time, the calculations were done with slide rule and hand-written spreadsheets. We had a car pool for several years, with co-workers Wilbur Middleton, Dick Holloway and Suzanne Chilcoat, and had great en-route discussions of the Nixon-Kennedy first nationally televised presidential debates. After I returned to teaching at WSU, we kept in touch through students of mine who worked for Steve, through AIAA activities and the BEST robotics program for high school students. Steve was very bright, an excellent communicator, a natural leader, and it was fun to spend time with him. I has been my very good fortune to count him and his family as good friends. Our sincere sympathy to the family…Bill and Marlene Wentz
Rest Stephan, until you hear at dawn,
the low, clear reveille of God.
Thank you for your service to this nation.
Steve was the best Program Manager I ever met at Boeing in the 36 years I was there as a Security Manager. He had a singular talent for explaining complex things in terms so simple even I could easily understand them. He was a pleasure to work with. I am sorry for your loss.
Hal and I are so sorry to hear Steve left this earth. Truly it was a brighter place with him around. What a great neighbor for many, many years. We will always remember him fondly and will proudly mount the Christmas Wreath he made, from his grape vines, every Christmas Season.
4 August 2018
Dear Ann and family,
Steve Starch was my lead engineer when I transferred into the B-52 Aerodynamic and Propulsion Group in February 1962 from the Boeing Advanced Design Aerodynamic Group. I worked under and for Steve on many Boeing projects over my 38 year career with Boeing. Steve was an excellent mentor and taught me how to make an excellent presentation, prepare an engineering report and communicate with our Air Force customer. Over the years he assigned me many responsible projects like integration of the SRAM (Short Range Attack Missile) and the transfer of the C/KC-135 fleet support from Boeing Seattle to Wichita. Steve was a team builder and even helped organized an Aero group baseball and basketball team to compete against the Structures Group. He was very supportive of the AIAA professional engineering society (American Institute of Aerodynamic and Astronautics) and support to the Air Force regarding flight safety and accident/mishap investigations.
Steve Starch and Dick Holloway at Boeing provided endless support and mentoring to me for which I am extremely grateful and appreciative.
Our condolences go to Steves family
Donald and Carol Sutcliffe
Wichita, Kansas
Steve was a fantastic person to know and a great engineer to work for. I so fondly remember joining the Aerodynamic group he help lead in the late 60s. I owe a significant part of the success in my career to Steve always taking time to explain things.
Stephen was a wonderful man! He was a my mentor/sponsor in a program known as futures for children many years ago…got to visit him n his wife Ann….wonderful memories!
Sorry for your loss! My prayers go out to the family and friends!
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.