Michael Elston Startt ’79

Michael Elston Startt ’79 died of a heart attack on November 17, 2017. More than a dozen of his Theta Delta Chi brothers honored their brother by attending his funeral in his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. Mike, who was born on June 23, 1957, graduated from Douglas Southall Freeman High School in 1975. In addition to being class valedictorian, Mike was a star athlete who excelled in football, basketball and track. While at Dartmouth Mike majored in engineering and played freshmen football. Upon graduating in 1980, Mike pursued a career in building automation and energy management and founded his own company, providing microprocessor-based automation solutions for commercial, industrial and institutional customers. Mike is remembered for his keen intellect, athletic prowess and charismatic personality. He enjoyed golf, playing cards, reading, working out and watching all sports. He loved fishing trips with his dad, Elston, and sharing meals and lively conversation with his mom, Sara Lee. Both at work and at play, Mike lived life to the fullest. As his dad said, “When God made Michael, he broke the mold.” Classmate Buddy Teevens wrote: “Thoughtful, considerate and supportive, Mike—known as ‘Benny’ to his football friends—was a special teammate. His gentle manner and warm sense of humor had an impact on all who knew him and we’ll always remember him with a smile.” Added Jim Eden, “Benny was a legendary member of the lodge who will be remembered as a loyal friend with a quick wit and an enormous heart!”