Simpson College mourns loss of former coach Dick Starr
INDIANOLA, Iowa — Dick Starr, hall of fame basketball and tennis coach and retired faculty at Simpson College, died Sunday, May 23, 2021 at the age of 88.
Services will be held Saturday, June 19 at First United Methodist Church of Indianola. Visitation takes place from 1-3 p.m. with a memorial service at 3 p.m. Burial services will be private.
Read the complete obituary at Indianola-IA.com.
Starr coached men's basketball, men's tennis and women's tennis during his 30-year Simpson career. He won conference coach of the year honors in both women's tennis and men's basketball and is one of just three coaches in Simpson men's basketball history to record 100 wins. Beyond athletics, Starr served as chair of the physical education department and developed the College's sports medicine program.
"Dick Starr was the ultimate gentleman. Everything he did, he did with class," said John Sirianni, Simpson College director of athletics from 1984-2014. "His impact on Simpson College was immeasurable and his positive influence spread across campus. From the classroom, to the field, to the court, he left a lasting legacy. He embodied what a true mentor and role model should be, and we are all better people for knowing him. He will truly be missed."
Starr led the men's basketball team from 1967-79. In 1976, he guided Simpson to its first-ever NCAA postseason appearance and won conference coach of the year honors. That team went 17-9, the most wins for a Simpson team in 34 years. During his tenure on the hardwood, Starr coached 26 all-conference performers and the program's second All-American in Doug Schafer (1973).
The women's tennis coach from 1988-97, Starr earned back-to-back coach of the year accolades to cap off his career. He led the 1995-96 squad to 14 victories for the program's first double-digit win season. The following season, Simpson won 10 matches for its second-straight, top-four finish in the league standings. Starr coached two all-conference selections and the team's first conference MVP in Katheryn Nedved (1996).
Starr was inducted into the Simpson College Coaches Hall of Fame in 1997. An award in his name is presented annually to the top senior in physical education teacher education.
