Trustee Biography: Fred. W. Fields

Fred Fields retired from Coe Manufacturing Company in the year 2000 after a lifetime of activities with them. Beginning as a junior engineer and serving 53 years in many positions, he concluded his career with Coe, after 23 years, as principal and Chief Executive Officer. The Coe Manufacturing Company has been a leading manufacturer of machinery for the production of lumber, plywood, fiber board and rubber products for over 148 years.

Mr. Fields began his education at Ball State and Indiana Universities. His studies were interrupted when he was drafted into the Army Air Force during World War II, where for nearly four years, he taught instrument flying and celestial navigation. After the war, he resumed his college education at Purdue University.

Mr. Fields has served the Lewis & Clark College Board of Trustees in shaping governance and fiscal policies. His contribution to the six-year $75 million Campaign for Lewis & Clark built the College’s new Fred W. Fields Center for the Visual Arts.

Fred Fields and his wife, Suzanne, now live in Portland, Oregon.