Memorial service for Fred Fields

December 21, 2011

Fred Fields—one of Lewis & Clark’s staunchest friends and advocates for over a quarter of  a century—will be remembered at a memorial service on campus on Saturday, January 21.

A longtime trustee, onetime board chair, and one of the College’s most generous benefactors, Fields passed away in December.

Born in 1923, Fred Fields grew up on a farm near Alexandria, Indiana, began his college studies at Ball State and Indiana universities, and then was drafted into the Army Air Force during World War II. For nearly four years, he taught instrument flying and navigation. After the war, he resumed his studies in mechanical engineering at Purdue University.

In 1947, Mr. Fields went to work as a junior engineer with Coe Manufacturing Company. That association grew into a life-long commitment, as he advanced through the management ranks and eventually bought the company from its founding family.

His work with Coe brought him to the West Coast where, in 1958, he married Portlander Suzanne Schoenfeldt. Together, they gave generously of their time and treasure to many charities. Their long and happy life together ended with Sue’s death in February of 2010.

Fred joined the Lewis & Clark board in 1985 and served for 21 years. From 2001 to 2004, he served as board chair. As a life trustee, he remained deeply involved in the College, providing counsel to the leadership and support for students.

In 1990, Fred completed a match for a challenge grant that established the Morgan S. Odell Professorship in the Humanities. In 1993, he pledged the lead gift for the Fred W. Fields Center for the Visual Arts.

“These are just two of the many contributions of financial support, wisdom, time and leadership that Fred made to Lewis & Clark, and for which this College will long be grateful,” President Barry Glassner said.

At Fields’ request, his memorial will be held at Agnes Flanagan Chapel on the Lewis & Clark campus. The memorial is scheduled for 2 p.m. January 21, with a reception to follow.