Robert Gregory Starr

1963 - 2020

Robert Gregory Starr, Greg to us all, was born on Friday, October 11th, 1963, to Phillip Byron and Carol Jean (Hinrichs) Starr.  He spent his growing years in Illinois, graduating from Springfield High School in 1981. Greg was a voracious reader, always hungry to learn. So much so, that the most effective punishment for misbehavior was to not allow him to go to the Public Library. He developed an interest in all things moral and philosophical at an early age and began a lifelong journey on that pathway by joining the Stephen Douglas Chapter of DeMolay. 

Upon graduation from high school, Greg enlisted in the U.S. Army. With his talent for languages, he attended the Army’s vaunted language school where he demonstrated high proficiency in both Russian and German. On one occasion just a few years ago he was speaking with a Russian immigrant in his native language. This businessman commented that Greg spoke Russian with just a hint of a Berliner accent, and that had he not known better he would have guessed that Greg was from Germany.    

While home on leave from active duty in the summer of 1986 Greg sought to continue the journey he began with DeMolay and he petitioned for the degrees of Freemasonry. He was initiated, passed and raised to the degree of Master Mason at Pleasant Plains Lodge #700. He returned to Germany, to his post with the “Silent Warriors”; the 741st Military Intelligence Battalion where he served as a Cryptologic Communications Interceptor/Locator. Staff Sergeant Starr was decorated several times, receiving the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior Unit Award as well as the Good Conduct Medal three times.

While Stationed in Germany Greg was active with the Masonic organizations there, serving as both Junior and Senior Warden in Lebanon Lodge #831, a part of the American Canadian Grand Lodge, Augsburg, Germany. He was named an Honorary Life Member of the Augusta Lodge in Augsburg.

Greg returned home and was honorably discharged from the Army on August 2, 1993, having served his country with distinction for just under 12 years.

Greg worked for a while as a chef. Anyone fortunate enough to have had a meal prepared by Greg can attest to his mastery of the culinary arts. If while dining out he happened to sample a sauce of a quality that met his high standards, he would summarily declare that it was so good that “You would eat a flip-flop, if that sauce was on it.”  Henceforth the finest cuisine was referred to as being of “flip-flop quality.”

Greg heard the call to service again. He completed the arduous selection process and training and served as a Police Officer for the City of Baltimore for approximately 3 years. 

Greg had an inherent talent for computers and plied that talent as an IT contractor. In that role he travelled the world again, living Hong Kong, Thailand, Russia and Holland before returning to Colorado.

In his years there he was an important part of the Masonic community. He was a member and officer of five Blue Lodges: Douglas 153, East Denver 160, Enlightenment 198, and Schiller ~ Pythagoras 41, serving as Secretary of Douglas, East Denver, and Pythagoras lodges, Treasurer of Enlightenment Lodge and Worshipful Master of Schiller Lodge for 2012. Greg was also an active member in many associated Masonic organizations, serving in officer roles in the Denver Scottish Rite, York Right, Shrine, Eastern Star, SRICF, and Allied Masonic Degrees where he served as Sovereign Master in 2013. Greg was an author of philosophical articles, having several published in Ad Lucem and The New Hermetics Equinox Journal. His knowledge and wisdom in these areas was widely recognized. He held memberships in the Scottish Rite Research Society, Philalethes Society, Grand College of Rites, Colorado Grand Lodge Speakers Bureau, and the Denver Consistory (Scottish Rite) Speakers Bureau.

Robert Gregory Starr heard the call we must eventually all answer, and on Friday October 30th, 2020, a mere 19 days after his 57th birthday, he shuffled off the mortal coil to begin another journey.

From avid reader and gatherer of knowledge as a child to venerated sage as an adult, Greg learned and then shared so very much. Greg, your absence from the world is great loss to us all. Those who knew you well and whom you gifted with your friendship love you still. You will be missed until we all meet again.

Another Army veteran, serving law enforcement officer, and very close friend of Greg’s, after hearing of his passing reflected on Greg’s service to our country and offered these parting words, “ RIP, Greg. You were at one time a warrior and have earned the warrior’s farewell.” 

At the time of his death Greg was employed with Cigna Insurance Corporation. He is survived by his mother, Carol Edwards; step-father, Alvin Edwards; brothers Kirby Ryan Gram and Tim Starr; sister Kim Moser; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father; grandparents, Russell and Ethel Starr, and Arthur and Edna Hinrichs; and step-father, Kirby Elias Gram, whom he called “Dad.” He was of the Eastern Orthodox faith.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am CST Monday, November 9th, 2020, at Vancil-Murphy Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mary Bryant Home for the Blind, 2960 Stanton St., Springfield, IL 62703, or at http://www.marybryanthome.org/support-us

View the memorial service live here: