Robert C. Fields, Jr., 89, Springfield, passed away suddenly Saturday, December 9, 2023, in his home. He was born October 12, 1934, in Lebanon, Missouri, the son of Robert C. Fields, Sr. and Frances Reynolds Fields.

Bob served as a Major in the Army, then spent 21 years in the Reserves as a Liaison Officer to West Point.

His father raised Tennessee Walking Horses and Bob was the one who broke them to bit and bridal and was the first one on their backs and trained them. He had a deep love for horses.

Bob was a Family Law Attorney and was the first accepted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers in SW Missouri.

He was a Member of the Mayflower Society and was honored by the Missouri Mayflower Society as having the most Mayflower Ancestors of 18.

Bob founded the Battered Women's Shelter and served as their President until they got on their feet.

He served as Deputy Secretary of State for Missouri and created the first punch card ballot for the voters of Missouri. Bob also was a former President of the Greene County Democratic Coalition.

He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Missouri University.

Bob was a 50+ year member of Solomon Lodge, Springfield, and a 50+ year member as a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, Joplin. He was also a member of Kimberling Chapter #164, Kimberling City, Order of the Eastern Star.

For 50+ years Bob was a member of the School of Religion Board at Drury University. He used to joke they kept him because he was their token Episcopalian.

Bob loved music, especially operas, and enjoyed singing with the St. Gregory's Choir at Christ Episcopal Church where he also served as a Lector and Chalice Bearer.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his 3-year old daughter, Kathy Sue while serving in the U.S. Army.

Bob is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Karen Fields; his son, Lee, of Texas; and daughter, Leslie, of Baltimore. He is also survived by his adoring daughter, Shannon Fields and son-in-law David Thomas, and their children David Thomas and Madilyn Thomas of Rockville, Maryland; and a host of relatives and friends.

Services will be in the Chapel at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, 5201 S Southwood Road, Springfield, MO 65804, Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 3 pm with full Military Honors and Episcopal Burial Rite under The Rev. Joe Beher, Christ Episcopal Church, all under the direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to St. Jude Research Department. Bob willingly agreed to participate in a research study conducted jointly by St. Jude and Mayo Clinic to hopefully help boost children's immune systems going through cancer treatments, which made his own chemotherapy treatments after cancer surgery last 52 weeks.