Starr was born in Montclair, New Jersey on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1923. His nanny and elder sister helped keep order in a busy family of 5 children. "Lyn" as he was nicknamed, treasured summers in the Adirondacks at Piseco Lake.
During WWII his father, Whitney, was a manager at the Standard Oil plant on Aruba, Dutch West Indies. Starr graduated there in ha high school class of 15.
While completing his accelerated engineering program at the University of Michigan, Starr began dating Jean MacKaye. They were married on November 4, 1945 in Ann Arbor and moved to Middle River, MD where Starr was employed at the Glenn L. Martin Company. Later, after a year of teaching at Boston University, he returned to University of Michigan for a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
In 1950 Starr joined Douglas Aircraft Company and moved to Los Angeles. He became the Manager of Advanced Planning in the Missiles and Space Department. His family grew to include 3 sons and 2 daughters during the 12 years at Douglas. They enjoyed living within walking distance of the Pacific Ocean.
From 1963-1965 Starr was Assistant Director for Space Technology in the Office of the Secretary of Defense McNamara, where he did early work on shuttle spacecraft, and remotely piloted vehicles.
The family then moved back to Northern California, where Starr worked for Lockheed Missiles and Space for 23 years as Manager of the Remotely Piloted Vehicle project and Director of Business Development for the R&D division. He was honored as Fellow of the American institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
In retirement he was an active volunteer with Atherton Civic Interest League, Lindenwood Homes Association, League of Women Voters, Habitat for Humanity, and the Northern California Conference of the United Church of Christ.
He was known to friends as a talented organizer and leader. His hobbies included painting, genealogy, yard work, lawn bowling, and poker.
AIAA Fellow - 1974
He is survived and dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Jean Colby, Sons Stephen Colby of Boulder, Colorado, Peter Colby of Menlo Park, David Colby of Santa Fe, New Mexico, daughter Betsy Colby of Atherton, and five grandchildren. He was preceded in death by daughter Sara Starr Colby.