In Memory of Bob Fields: Support for His Funeral

As we come to terms with this loss, we are reaching out for support to cover the cost of his funeral services. While Bob has been sick for a very long time, he incurred large amounts of medical bills over the years. Leighann will be solely covering the funeral expenses and we are asking for any donations to help her through this process.

Born November 4, 1948 - Died June 13, 2024

But as they say it is the dash that carries the depth of a man. The poem, “The Dash”, reminds us: “What mattered most of all was the dash between those years.” And Robert ‘Bob’ Lee Fields, 75, used that ‘dash’ to its fullest, living a life filled with friends, family, and a quest for adventure, sharing his wisdom and talents to the benefit of everyone in the drum corps community.

Born in Richmond, CA and raised in El Sobrante, Bob’s formal education was at De Anza High School before getting his AA in Police Science at Contra Costa Community College. There was some course work in music and a stint at the very ‘hippie’ counter-culture of San Francisco State University, but the lure of writing and drum corps was too strong. At an early age, Bob discovered the activity and began playing soprano with the Richmond Hawks before switching to tenor drums with the Pinole Princemen. The experience steered the course for the rest of his life.

As early as 1969, Bob began writing and capturing images for drum corps publications. First with Drum Corps News and then with Drum Corps World, where his column “What’s Happening?” has been a staple since 1976. Even in his last column in the January 2024 issue, he encouraged readers to volunteer and donate to kids who were gearing up to march this year. Always thinking of how to help. Other publications included the Blue Devils Yearbook, Pageantry Press, and Off the Line Magazine.

In addition to journalism, where he earned the nickname “Clark Kent”, this superhero lent his talents to several corps in a variety of capacities. This is truly the list of a Renaissance man.

- Director of the South San Francisco Conquistadors

- Business Manager for Illusion and Archer Epler Musketeers

- Public Relations with Drum Corps Europe and Drum Corps West Circuit

- Tour Coordinator for Sacramento Freelancers and Beatrix

- Tour Bus Driver for Blue Devils A and San Jose Raiders

- Contest Coordinator for Drum Along the San Andreas, where their motto was “It’s not our fault!”

- Show Sponsor for Drum Corps West, YEA!, Allentown, and USBBA

- Volunteer Coordinator & Winter Camp Manager for Crossmen

- And volunteer for DCI, WGI, and many other corps and

marching units.

Generous giving of his time and talents over the years culminated with Bob earning one of DCI’s highest honors, 1997 Volunteer of the Year award.

In addition to drum corps, Bob cherished several hobbies of note including ham radio, photography, Halloween, and trains.

Bob is survived by his beloved daughter Leighann Keegan (Tim Keegan), former spouse and friend Terry Booth Fields, brother Larry Fields of the Philippines (Maria Filipina Fields), girlfriend Karen Weatherhead, fur grand-babies Sweets, Buddy and Kitten, and many nieces and nephews in the Philippines. He is predeceased by his parents Loren and Mary Ellen Fields and his brother Jamie. And he will be remembered fondly by a multitude of friends including his goddaughter, Emily Mavroudis and this author.

“For it matters not how much we own,

The cars, the house, the cash.

What matters is how we live and love

And how we spend our dash.” - Linda Ellis, “The Dash”

He lived his life and filled his ‘dash’ with joy and kindness. And for that we are grateful. As he was apt to end his columns, “happy trails,” Bob. You will be missed, dear friend.