Robert Starling

Robert Dale Starling, 76, died at his home in Eureka on June 18, 2014.

He was born in Eureka to Vern and Cathleen Starling on Jan. 11, 1938. After graduating from Lincoln County High School in 1956, he volunteered for the draft and spent two years in the Army, stationed in Germany for most of that time.

Bob married Lynette Workman on Feb. 17, 1961. They made their first home in Warland (now under the waters of Lake Koocanusa behind Libby Dam) where he worked for the Forest Service for the next four years. Children Bob, Karen and Karmen were born in Libby in 1962 and 1963 during this time.

The family moved to Anaconda in 1965 where Bob was transferred to the forestry division of the newly established Job Corps Center as a woods supervisor. The following year they moved back to Eureka where Bob spent the rest of his life in the area working in mills, logging and Christmas treeing.

He is survived by his wife Lynette; children Bob and Deb Starling, of Columbia Falls, Karen and John Suchy and Karmen and Maury McKinney, of Eureka; grandchildren Meghan and Alex Ekholt and Josie, of Columbia Falls, Nichole and John Burns and Sam and Ethan, of Kalispell, Ryan McKinney, presently on duty with the Air Force in Guam, and Edward Suchy, of Eureka; brother Ray and Peggy Starling, of Spokane; and many, many cousins, nephews, nieces and friends.

Bob was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Eureka and services were held there on June 23. 2014.

Memorials may be made in his name to organizations that help others. The family’s favorite is the Wings Foundation in Kalispell.