Edward Starbird

1940 - 2026

COL Edward Alfred Starbird, 85, died 11 February 2026 in Seattle, WA, of natural causes. Born 16 July 1940 at West Point, NY, to Evelyn Wallington Starbird and LTG Alfred Dodd Starbird, he grew up in a military family, stationed in South Dakota, Hawaii, Paris, and Washington, DC. He graduated from Washington and Lee High School (1958) and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point (1962), commissioning as a 2LT in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.



He completed Engineer training at Fort Belvoir, VA, and Airborne and Ranger Schools at Fort Benning, then served with the 78th Combat Engineer Battalion in Germany (1963–66) and in Vietnam (1966–67). After the Engineer Advanced Engineer Course (1968), he married Margaret Leonard and earned an MS in Nuclear Engineering from NC State University, followed by a second Vietnam tour (1970–71).



His 30-year career included two tours with the Army Nuclear Agency; instructor of civil and nuclear engineering at West Point (1974–77); graduate of the Armed Forces Staff College (1974); and National War College (1985); Commander, 326th Engineer Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (1980-83); District Engineer, Nashville, TN (1986-89); and final assignment as I Corps Engineer at Fort Lewis (1989–92). He retired in June 1992 with numerous awards and decorations.



In retirement he lived in Lakewood and Steilacoom, WA, before moving to Bayview Retirement Community in Seattle after a stroke suffered in 2016.



Known for integrity, intellect, humor, and dedication to country and family, Edward was a steadfast leader and problem-solver. He was also a devoted husband and father who showed up for his kids and made sure they had all they might need - from waterskis, to soccer practices, to long lectures about everything from nuclear engineering to politics.



He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Margaret; five children-Charles (Celeste), Margaret Seyler (Joshua), Catharine "Kate" (Melissa Marsh), Edward (Margaret), and Michael (Amalia); 11 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his sister Catharine Ward (Morris); and extended family. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister Susan Stout.