Allen Cheston Starkey, age 80, Wayzata MN, passed away peacefully on February 15, 2016. Born on September 4, 1935 in Philadelphia. , Allen was preceded in death by parents Laird and Dorothy Starkey and brother, William P. Starkey. Survived by his loving wife of 59, years Judith Corfield Starkey, brother Robert L. Starkey (Nancy); daughters Julia Ruggieri, Janice Hilgenkamp (Brad) and Sarah Starkey.
Allen graduated from George School in Newtown, PA and went on to graduate from the Pennsylvania State University in 1956 with a B.S. in Science, and where he was a member of the Alpha Chi Sigma fraternity. As a student, Allen spent his summers working in the White Mountains of New Hampshire as a Hutman and Hutmaster at Lakes of the Clouds Hut on Mt. Washington. He then enjoyed a successful 43-year professional career as a Chemical Sales Representative for Rohm and Haas Corp. Allen’s passion was Rugby: He played for both the Minneapolis Rugby Club and the Chicago Lions Rugby Football Club. He went on to referee for several years, was a member of “Old Boys” teams that played tournaments around the world and was, finally, a Coach and Director of the Wayzata Girls’ Rugby Club who won several State Championships.
Allen was a staunch Penn State Nittany Lion football supporter who organized many local festivities and away-game excursions and served on the Board of the local Alumni Club. He also coached his daughters’ softball and basketball teams for several years. Allen volunteered as a softball referee at the Hennepin County Correctional facility, he supported the Rosebud Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota and traveled to Romania to help refurbish an orphanage in the 1980s. An enthusiastic traveler, Allen set off when-ever time permitted to such far-flung destinations as Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Argentina, South Africa, Canada and most recently, in late 2015 he and Judy relaxed in Costa Rica, where his daughter Sarah resides.
Allen was a 39-year member of St. Edwards the Confessor Episcopal Church where he served as a Lay Reader, a Vestry member (as both Warden and Sr. Warden), and by faithfully leading Morning Prayer every Saturday. His devotion to God was felt by all at St. Edwards and, through his outreach, within the surrounding community. Memorials preferred to: Sinte Gleska University (Rosebud Reservation), PO Box 105, Mission, SD 57555, sintegleska.edu/; or to The Appalachian Mountain Club, 5 Joy Street, Boston, MA 02108.