Keith Allen Starman
Born: October 31st, 1967
Died: July 20th, 2010
Obituary
Keith Allen Starman, 42, of Coralville, died at 11:21 p.m. Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, surrounded by family and friends after a courageous battle with colon cancer. Born October 31, 1967, in Burlington, he was the son of Harvey George and Marla Jean Cooper Starman. On July 6, 1991, he married Elizabeth "Betsy" Kuepper at Messiah Lutheran Church in Burlington. Keith graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1986. He graduated with a BSE in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa in 1991. During his college years, he cooperatively worked at Caterpillar, Inc. in Peoria, IL. After graduation, Keith joined Hallmark Cards, Inc., where he worked as an Engineering Manager in the Topeka, Kansas manufacturing production facility. He earned his MBA from Kansas University in 1995. In 2002, Keith and his family returned to Iowa, where he worked as an Operations Manager for American Color Graphics in Marengo, Iowa. In 2004, Keith opened his own retail business in downtown Iowa City, a franchise, Beat the Bookstore. In 2007, he sold Beat the Bookstore and founded his own business, Bob Buys Books. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, and Delta Chi Fraternity. He was a diehard Iowa Hawkeyes fan, and coached his children in softball, basketball, and football. He enjoyed traveling and golf. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth "Betsy"; one daughter, Emily Elizabeth Starman at home; one son, Zachary Cooper Starman at home; two sisters, Rhonda (Robert) Bristow of Bettendorf, and Susan (Bill) Glasgow of Burlington; his maternal grandmother, Madeline Cooper of Burlington; one sister-in-law, Katy Imarc) Niehus of Coralville; his mother-in-law, Joan (Michael) Hazell of Coralville; his father-in-law, William Kuepper of Burlington; four nieces and nephews, Lucas (Kimberly) Glasgow, Tara (Martin) Farrington, and Rachel and Nicholas Niehus; one great-niece, Ella Farrington; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal grandfather, and paternal grandparents. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., with the family to receive friends following brief words of comfort from Reverend Jan Rippentrop at 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, July 23, 2010, at Hass-Thielen Funeral Home. Private family interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery Saturday, July 24, 2010. The memorial service fro Mr. Starman will beat 6:30 p.m. Saturday, July 24, 2010 at Zion Lutheran Church, 310 North Johnson Street, Iowa City, with Reverend Dr. Mark Pries officiating. In lieu of Flowers, a memorial has been established. The Hass-Thielen Funeral Home is in care of the arrangements. A photo tribute can be viewed and condolences can be sent to the family by visiting Keith's obituary at www.hassthielen.com.