Former Valley News Dispatch sports editor Rick Starr was master storyteller, true friend

Rick Starr first took over as Valley News Dispatch sports editor at a most memorable time.

It was 1980 and the Pirates and Steelers were world champions, Pitt and Penn State both had top 10 football teams, Freeport and Knoch were dominant on the local high school football scene; Valley and Springdale in basketball.

Starr, 64, who died Sunday in State College, made the most of that dream opportunity.

Bob Stein, who now lives in Poland, preceded Starr as sports editor and was not only a colleague, but a friend.

“My dear friend and former co-worker was an insightful, articulate writer who consistently provided his readers with fresh perspectives on sports,” Stein said. “He was a delightful companion, a generous human being and an excellent conversationalist who always had something interesting to say.”

Jerry DiPaola, who worked with Starr at the Valley News Dispatch and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, recalled how well he treated young reporters trying to break into the business.

“Rick was probably the nicest guy I knew, in this business and elsewhere,” DiPaola said. “He would bend over backwards for young job seekers. Even when he had no jobs to offer, he would show them around the building and provide counsel.”

“Rick was the kind of journalist that coaches, players and readers appreciated,” said Kevin Smith, executive sports editor of Trib Total Media. “He was fair, wasn't afraid to ask the tough question and had a great ability to tell a story.”

His 19-year Steelers coverage included both the Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher eras.

“Yes, he could really write,” DiPaola said, “One of the best on the Steelers beat.”

Former Valley News Dispatch Managing Editor Rick Monti, who also served the Tribune-Review in several management capacities, is a long-time admirer of Starr's work.

“Rick was one of the best writers I've ever worked with,” said Monti, now a Tribune-Review media consultant. “His coverage of the great Pittsburgh Steelers teams was something for other reporters to aspire to. But not only was he a great writer, he was a caring human being.”

He covered the Steelers in Super Bowls XIII, XIV and XL.

While Starr enjoyed many sports, golf was his true love.

The first big tournament he attended was the 1973 U.S. Open at Oakmont with his father. That's the day Johnny Miller shot a 63 in one of the sport's most historic rounds.

“Rick's love was always golf,” Smith said. “He lived to play and cover golf. There was no one more excited when Oakmont would get a major USGA event.”

On some Saturday mornings, Starr could be found at his workbench with clubs, attachments and some epoxy.

“He made his own clubs as well,” Smith said. “He made me a 4-wood that I still carry in my bag today. He would get mad every time I hit a good shot with it and say, ‘You owe me another dollar for that.' ”

Starr's writing awards were numerous. He won local and na‑tional awards from The Asso‑ciated Press, Pennsylvania News Publishers Association, Gannett Corp. and the William Randolph Hearst Foundation.

Starr was the former editor of The Daily Collegian at Penn State, where he majored in journalism and drew plaudits for his coverage of John Cappaletti's 1973 Heisman Trophy speech where he dedicated the award to his brother, Joey.

Starr also had an interest in the arts as a volunteer with the New Kensington Civic Theater.

“He and I both did work at the theater when we were younger,” said Colleen Clark. “Rick was usually backstage helping out with performances. We finally got him in the chorus of ‘My Fair Lady' where we taught him how to dance. He was also a great storyteller.”

Funeral arrangements were not available Monday.

George Guido is a freelance writer.