Obituary for Timothy Ward Starkey
Timothy Ward Starkey PhD, passed away on Friday September 3rd, 2021 at his home in Denver Colorado; succumbing to several medical challenges. He was born on November 11 1942 in the Illinois River town of Beardstown. He was the second son of Dr. Thomas Starkey and Evelyn Joyce Starkey. He was preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his brother Thomas, niece Jennifer Starkey and nephew Chris Starkey, great nephews Nate and Josh Munson, and great niece Emma Munson.
He attended public school, graduating with honors in 1960. Then he enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, with special interests in mathematics and physics. He received a Masters Degree and then a Doctorate degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 1967 and 1970 respectively. After passing the required examination, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Assessment Psychology.
In 1970 Tim married Regina Donahue in Chicago. In 44 years of marriage, they shared interests like sailing, travel around the States and abroad, intimate family and friend relationships whom they often entertained with elegant dinners in their well appointed home. Many would view them as the perfect couple. Although later divorced, the couple had many good years together. Tim remained very close with his former in-laws by inviting them to his home, attending graduations, and joining in on family vacations to California, Hawaii, and North Carolina.
Tim established a clinical practice in Miami, Florida, specializing in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with adolescents and young adults, and psychological issues of aging. Later he joined the Miami VA Medical Center, with an institutional practice, and then with administrative duties, rising to become Chief of the Psychology Department.
While continuing his private practice, at the VA he developed a keen interest in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Tim etal published several papers on this subject; he testified before congress re PTSD in the early 1990’s.
In the mid 1990’s he became an adjunct professor at Nova University, Miami Dade College in Miami. Tim taught a variety of courses in undergraduate psychology, receiving “high marks” from his students.
Many years after his retirement, he moved to Denver, Colorado.
Several years ago, Tim opened his heart and Denver home to Zack Elalouf (whom he regarded as an unofficial, adopted son) and Ruben Ramirez-Castillo, EMT. The living arrangement they shared underscores a mutually beneficial exchange of talents.
Tim demonstrated articulate and keen understanding of pertinent national and global issues. He enjoyed intellectual engagement, especially with current political topics; and he spoke freely regarding provocative synopsis of newsworthy crises and possible solutions.
As a brother-in-law, he cared in ways one would expect only from blood relations. Although Tim might cringe at the thought of the following statements, may it be acknowledged here that he embraced many upstanding virtues. He carried brilliance, positivity, generosity, compassion, humility, admirable work ethic, fondness for people and the human predicament, love of life, sincerity, and an eye for security. Of these admirable qualities, there’s a different one in particular that shines the brightest from this perspective. As you might have somehow entered his inner enclave of awareness, an inner spark of his compassion ignited complete, unquestionable loyalty to you. Yes, if Tim were encapsulated by only one particular quality that outshines his other prodigious features, it is the focused loyalty he carried through the end of his life towards those he deeply loved. With the infinite aspects of the heart, his love and loyalty expand to so very many of us - a most valuable legacy that we each continue to nurture with gratitude.
His family and close friends wish to thank his numerous caregivers over the years, both in Miami and in Denver.
He attended public school, graduating with honors in 1960. Then he enrolled in the University of Notre Dame, and graduated in 1964 with a Bachelors degree in Philosophy, with special interests in mathematics and physics. He received a Masters Degree and then a Doctorate degree in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago in 1967 and 1970 respectively. After passing the required examination, he became a Diplomate of the American Board of Assessment Psychology.
In 1970 Tim married Regina Donahue in Chicago. In 44 years of marriage, they shared interests like sailing, travel around the States and abroad, intimate family and friend relationships whom they often entertained with elegant dinners in their well appointed home. Many would view them as the perfect couple. Although later divorced, the couple had many good years together. Tim remained very close with his former in-laws by inviting them to his home, attending graduations, and joining in on family vacations to California, Hawaii, and North Carolina.
Tim established a clinical practice in Miami, Florida, specializing in psychoanalytic psychotherapy with adolescents and young adults, and psychological issues of aging. Later he joined the Miami VA Medical Center, with an institutional practice, and then with administrative duties, rising to become Chief of the Psychology Department.
While continuing his private practice, at the VA he developed a keen interest in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Tim etal published several papers on this subject; he testified before congress re PTSD in the early 1990’s.
In the mid 1990’s he became an adjunct professor at Nova University, Miami Dade College in Miami. Tim taught a variety of courses in undergraduate psychology, receiving “high marks” from his students.
Many years after his retirement, he moved to Denver, Colorado.
Several years ago, Tim opened his heart and Denver home to Zack Elalouf (whom he regarded as an unofficial, adopted son) and Ruben Ramirez-Castillo, EMT. The living arrangement they shared underscores a mutually beneficial exchange of talents.
Tim demonstrated articulate and keen understanding of pertinent national and global issues. He enjoyed intellectual engagement, especially with current political topics; and he spoke freely regarding provocative synopsis of newsworthy crises and possible solutions.
As a brother-in-law, he cared in ways one would expect only from blood relations. Although Tim might cringe at the thought of the following statements, may it be acknowledged here that he embraced many upstanding virtues. He carried brilliance, positivity, generosity, compassion, humility, admirable work ethic, fondness for people and the human predicament, love of life, sincerity, and an eye for security. Of these admirable qualities, there’s a different one in particular that shines the brightest from this perspective. As you might have somehow entered his inner enclave of awareness, an inner spark of his compassion ignited complete, unquestionable loyalty to you. Yes, if Tim were encapsulated by only one particular quality that outshines his other prodigious features, it is the focused loyalty he carried through the end of his life towards those he deeply loved. With the infinite aspects of the heart, his love and loyalty expand to so very many of us - a most valuable legacy that we each continue to nurture with gratitude.
His family and close friends wish to thank his numerous caregivers over the years, both in Miami and in Denver.