Obituaries 16 September 2026

Robert “Bob” Richard Starbuck

Robert “Bob” Richard Starbuck, 77, passed away peacefully on Sept. 11, 2026, in Cary, North Carolina.

Bob was known for his investment in academia, service-oriented actions, generous nature and sense of humor. He lived his life with a daily sense of purpose, happy and driven to help the communities he lived in.

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Born in Cincinnati, Bob was the son of Charles and Shirley Starbuck. 

He worked in his father’s furniture store in Hillsboro and attended Miami University of Ohio upon graduating from high school. He continued his passion for mathematics by attending North Carolina State University on a National Defense Education Act (NDEA) fellowship, earning his PhD in statistics. Bob remained involved in academia, mentoring students and sitting on NC State’s College of Sciences board. He was awarded the Fellow designation rank and the Founders Award from the American Statistical Association and the Distinguished Alumnus Award and Zenith Medal for Service from NC State for his years of enhancing partnerships between academia and business, industry and government.

Bob dedicated much of his free time to handyman work. He volunteered regularly for Habitat for Humanity while living in Pennsylvania, CORRAL in Cary, and the churches he was a member of over the years. A lifelong lover of music, Bob sang in several choirs, enjoying the music and his fellow choir mates. Bob was an avid traveler, visiting more than 30 countries. One of his great gifts was to expose his grandchildren to the beauty of the world through trips to different countries.

Bob is lovingly remembered by his wife, Mimi Starbuck; his son, Matthew Starbuck (Shawna); his daughter, Nancy Klein (Marty); his sisters Jill Byham (Stuart) and Barbara Welch (Gary), and his grandchildren: Andrew Klein (Mamie), Jason Starbuck, Katherine Klein, Erin Starbuck and Ryan Klein.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Shirley Starbuck; and his sister, Judy Forman.

A memorial service will be held on Oct. 2 at 1:30 p.m., at Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian, 200 High Meadow Dr., Cary, N.C. 27511.

In lieu of flowers and in consideration of Bob’s interest in supporting young students, the family's wish is for gifts to be made in memory of Robert Starbuck to the following:

Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church music ministry (https://kirk.breezechms.com/give/online/?fund_id=1892084)

and

CORRAL non-profit organization (https://corralriding.org/give /).

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