Frederick Thomas Starkweather

The world lost a beautiful mind in the early morning hours of February 20 as Dad left this earth to join Mom who had preceded him in death in 1998. Frederick Thomas Starkweather was born in Sioux City Iowa, February 24, 1933 to Gertrude “Trudy” and Frederick “Putt” Starkweather and was raised and began his life’s journey in Boyden, Iowa. He was known as Tom to family and friends and achieved Bachelor in Mathematics and Physics, University Nebraska, Omaha, 1955, which launched a rich and rewarding career. Tom dedicated his career to serving his country for over four decades at White Sands Missile Range during the height of the Space Race and Cold War. Tom worked closely with some of the most brilliant minds in rocketry including many former German V2 Rocket Scientists brought to White Sands during Operation Paperclip. Tom married Margot Glassen, on November 19, 1959 and had three sons, Tom, Jerry, and Michael which began his involvement with youth sports. Tom coached through the Blessed Sacrament Youth Sports program for 15 years (1969-1984) and helped grow the program to over 14 teams in both basketball and football. He also coached baseball through the El Paso Northgate Optimist League. Tom’s Coaching philosophy emphasized good sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun and de-emphasized winning which led to Nationally recognized success. His boys 8-9 year old basketball team won the City Championship 6 times and were runners-up 6 additional times over 15 years while compiling an overall record of 198 wins and 11 losses. Tom enjoyed watching his three boys compete and always attended any event they participated in and their teammates often referred to him as Pops and/or Coach. His many interests included organic gardening, writing short stories and book reviews, 63 years of involvement with the Shriners organization (York & Scottish Rite), Toastmasters, Parents Teacher Organizations, City of El Paso Planning and Zoning Commission, El Paso Chamber of Commerce, Indian Guides, Genealogy, Tropical Fish, and Historical Societies just to name a few. He approached each endeavor with an incredible passion, intellectual curiosity, and boundless energy level. His lifetime of achievement in civic, educational and professional endeavors led to many awards including: Youngest 32nd degree Knights Templar and Shriner (York & Scottish Rites) in the nation, 1954; Conquistador award City of El Paso, 1980 for Distinguished community service; Geoerge Washington Honor Medal, Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, 1982; Distinguished Alumnus University Nebraska, Omaha, 1985; Tau Kappa Epsilon “Hall of Fame”, 1986; cited for services to mankind El Paso chapter Sertoma, 1985. He is survived by sons Tom Frederick, daughter in law Elodia and granddaughter Margot; Jerry Russell, daughter in law Tracie and grandchildren Zachary Ryan, Olivia Michelle and Luke Aaron; son Michael Glassen; Step Daughter Dolly Schmidt, son in law Helmut and grandson Paul; Brother Jerry Lawrence, Sister-In-Law Marge, and Nephews Randy and Scott, He’s also survived by hundreds of adopted sons that simply knew him as Coach Starkweather. The Coach who drove the old white bomb and always had a stick of Wrigley’s Spearmint gum to share before a game to help ease the nervous energy. The games began and ended with the Lord’s Prayer and win or lose, e emphasized having fun and being respectful to parents, officials, teammates and our competitors at all times. We will miss you Dad, Pops, Coach and we are all simply a breath away from joining you on the field of play in Heaven! His life’s celebration will be held on Saturday, February 25, from 9-11AM at Sunset Funeral Home located at 4631 Hondo Pass, El Paso, Texas 79904. In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting Boys Town where at risk children are saved and families are healed. http://www.boystown.org/Pages/how-you-help.aspx