Robert A. "Digger" "Dr. Bob" DeFields

De Fields Robert A., “Digger”, Dr. Bob. Born July 25, 1947. Died July 15, 2015. Age 67. Native Californian. Died after a long Battle with AIDS since 1995, Open Heart 2012, Cancer 2015. Started his life time profession as apprentice embalmer in 1963, became embalmer and funeral director for 50 years. Mortuaries, Bellflower Mortuary, Whites’s Funeral Home, Dilday Family Mortuary, and Stricklin/Snively Mortuary where retired as Vice President. Graduated Bellflower High 1966, Serviced US Navy 1967-71 in Vietnam, California Mortuary College at Los Angeles 1972, UCLA life Time Teaching Credential 1973. Very active in the community of Bellflower and Long Beach. Past President, Bellflower Kiwanis Club 1989-90 and Member since 1983. Taught at Paramount High School, Jewelry Making & Design for 10 years. 2005 became working as a volunteer with Miller Children’s Hospital Pediatric/Family HIV center. Dr. Audra Deveikis in charge and Robert became also a benefactor with a legacy with Robert De Fields Endowment Fund. He worked with Denise Leonard-Clayton Artful Healing as volunteer jeweler and artist, making jewelry and Art with the children and parents. Robert loved to live, traveling the world. Arts both making jewelry and drawing. Collecting fine art and object around the world. Loved to entertain his friends and family, cooking dinner for them. He also believed that it was always 5pm somewhere, cheers to happiness, friends and live. Predeceased by parents, Clinton & Virginia De Fields, Bellflower. Life Partner Terry A. Callahan, Long Beach. Survived by host of extended families, Church, Kiwanis, Mortuaries, and Hospital. Many friends. Visitation at All Souls Mortuary Tuesday, August 4, 2015 3-5pm at All Souls Mortuary 4400 Cherry Ave., Long Beach, CA 90807. Vigil service Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at All Saint's Church. Resurrection Mass Wednesday August 5, 2015 10am at All Saint’s Church 346 Termino Ave., Long Beach, CA, Entombment to follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Gate 17. In lieu of flowers Robert suggested donation to Long Beach Memorial Medical Center/Millers Childrens’ Hospital Foundation. Donation to the Robert De Fields Endowment Fund 2801 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach, CA