FAIRPORT - Robert passed away peacefully, April 14th, 2020 after battling a glioblastoma brain tumor for the past year. Robert was born in Tonawanda, NY, July 6, 1973. Robert is also predeceased by his brother, Danny Staerker and his father-in-law, Michael Richards, Jr. He is survived by his loving wife of 14 years, Dr. Kimberly Richards-Staerker; daughter, Emilea Staerker; parents, Robert and Kathleen (Hylinger) Staerker; brothers, John (Allison) Staerker and Patrick (Jennifer) Staerker; mother-in-law, Phyllis Richards; sister-in-law, Kelly Richards; brother-in-law, Michael Richards and several nephews, cousins, and dear friends. Robert was laid to rest in White Haven Memorial Park privately with his family in attendance. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Lifetime Care Hospice, 3111 Winton Rd. S., Rochester, NY 14623 in Robert's memory. Click Here to sign Robert's Virtual Register Book Robert (who was also called Bob, Bobby, or Boo) graduated from Kenmore East High School 1992 and then went on to serve in the United States Navy between 1993 and 1999 on the USS Leyte Gulf as an Aegis Class Fire Controlman/Electronics Technician. After he was discharged, Bob graduated from the University at Buffalo in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in physics. Most recently, Bob worked as a laboratory engineer in the Omega Laser Experimental Research Group at the University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Bob's life was forever changed for the better with the birth of his beautiful daughter, Emilea. He taught her how to ice skate, swim, ride her bike, and instilled values, kindness, and empathy that will live on with her forever. She was his little angel, and now he is her angel. They will always be connected with a string from her heart to his. Bob was always fearless and he displayed bravery, positivity, and poise when faced with his diagnosis. Bob was an extraordinary athlete. He played soccer in high school and enjoyed snowboarding, ice skating, golf, running, and kayaking later in life. He had a thirst for knowledge and could decipher, repair, or construct just about anything. Since his youth, Bob was always fascinated with how things worked and how they were put together. He would spend countless hours deconstructing items to gain a thorough understanding of their function and would apply this knowledge to almost everything he did in life. . Although Bob's journey on this earth ended much too early, he lived a full life and saw many parts of the world both in the Navy and later with his family, including cruises to Alaska, Bermuda, the Caribbean, Hawaii, the coast of New England, and vacations to Cape Cod, Florida, Vermont, the Adirondacks, California, Seattle, and many more. He was a loving husband and father who had a calm disposition and could always bring charm and humor into any situation. He touched many people's lives and his presence will surely be missed. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.