Frederic "Digger" Lycurgus Starbuck of Lompoc, California, passed away on February 21, 2023, at the age of 87. Born to James and Mary (Shafer) Starbuck in Hollywood, California on June 2, 1935. They moved to Lompoc when Ric was in the first grade.

He graduated from Lompoc High School in 1953 and attended junior college earning an associate degree. In 1964 he and his best friend, Arlen Sechrest, opened The Muffler Shop. Ric was also employed with the Operating Engineers until his retirement.

While he didn't talk about it very much, Ric was a decorated Combat Veteran. After valiantly serving his country in Vietnam, he earned a Combat Infantry Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star. He retired as a Major from the United States Army in 1995. Many would recall serving with him at the Lompoc Army Reserve Center.

He was involved in local government, serving on the Lompoc Cemetery Board, Farm Bureau, and the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce. He was a member of The Lompoc Men's Club and always looked forward to their monthly dinners.

Ric was an avid collector of historical arms. As such, he was a lifetime member of the NRA and was invited to join the American Society of Arms Collectors (ASAC). Through the ASAC, Ric and Donna made amazing friends and traveled all over the United States attending ASAC meetings and events. He was a recognized expert on United States Martial Arms.

Ric was a master craftsman and could design and build anything. With pristine craftsmanship and exacting measurements, the projects that came out of his barn were true works of art. If you could dream it, he could build it.

Family meant everything to him. He enjoyed family dinners and just living life with his Donna Mae.

Ric is survived by his wife Donna Mae (Campbell) whom he married in 1957, son Dirk and Karen (Markham), daughter Deena (Starbuck) and Kelvin Blocker, grandchildren; Dawn (Starbuck) and Chris Thomas, Candace Blocker, Danielle Starbuck, Jarod and Patience (Cogar) Blocker, and Kayla (Starbuck) and Brenton Rains. great-grandchildren; Camden Thomas, Brinley Thomas, Ryder Starbuck, Alexander Rains, Haiden Adams, Frederic Rains, Peyton Adams and Ella Ann Blocker.

Services will be Friday, March 03, 2023, at 2pm at Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery with a celebration of his life to follow at Schuylers River Bottom.