David Field Oliver

He was born here March 23rd, 1952 and left his city at exactly 6:30AM on September 7th, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospice.

A graduate of Pembroke Country Day School, he went on to Haverford College. There he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with honors.

With a U.S. federal judge – John W. Oliver – for a father and a top trial lawyer – Lyman Field – for an uncle, it was inevitable that dedication to the law was in his blood.

David received his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law in 1977.

He practiced law for many years, specializing in commercial securities, product liability and medical malpractice litigation. Eventually David, along with Barney Berkowitz, started their own law firm – Berkowitz Oliver LLP – where he practiced for years.

But David’s sense of community and volunteer spirit, encouraged early on by his mother - Gertrude Field Oliver - a civic leader herself, led to a second career. He helped found PLX Corporation where he helped companies strengthen and diversify their boards. His company's motto was: "Plan. Lead. Execute."

David’s civic work also included service in pediatric health, education reform, the arts, journalism and nonprofit leadership development.

He was a founding board member of Aligned, which seeks to improve education policy. David also served in leadership positions at MRI Global, William Jewell College, De La Salle Charter High School, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and countless other organizations. Other board and trustee roles he loved involved the Francis Family Foundation, Cross Foundation, Murphy Charitable Fund, and Children’s Mercy Hospital.

David’s awards and public accomplishments are too numerous to mention.

One thing that gave him enormous pride was being elected Student Council President at Pembroke Country Day, now Pembroke Hill. David’s happiest memories were in high school with the class of 1970. There he also met Mary Elizabeth Gresham, whom he called "his first love and partner for life". A member of the class of 1971 at Sunset Hill School, she met David while she was racing in from Varsity field hockey practice to rehearse a play. David loved all the theatre productions directed by the much beloved, Peggy Scott. He also loved the spring theatre trips, which Mrs. Scott and her husband Henry organized to Greece, Italy and all throughout Europe.

David also loved horses, competing in horse shows, 3-day eventing and foxhunting on his wonderful horse Happenstance. He also rode cross-country with Mary in Ireland, Scotland and New Zealand.

David also loved to ski and tackled many black diamond runs with Mary as well as their nephew Alexander Louis Gresham. There were many travels and adventures with Alex whom he loved very much as if he were his own son.

David leaves his dear sister, Zimra Korp, and her family in Jerusalem.

He leaves his niece Nancy Bulkley and nephew Nathaniel Bulkley. He adored both of them as well as Nathaniel's wife Candace, and his great-niece Nina, and great-nephew Miles.

David had a big extended family. And there is no room to thank all the cousins that he loved so much.

There should be, however a blessing sent to his cousins Lindsley Field and Dr. Reg Bulkley who were so compassionate to David toward the end of his life.

Finally, David was the eternal cockeyed optimist with rose-colored glasses. He took his 2 year 11 month ordeal with stage 4 kidney cancer in stride, never giving up hope. And he participated in a clinical trial in St. Louis, which though it did not ultimately help him, it may help cancer patients in the future.

This may surprise you... since David Field Oliver dedicated himself to his public life. But he, wrote down and was adamant saying “No funeral, no party” after his death.

In his final wishes, he delivered a strong message to all of you:

“When you think of me, DO something for Kansas City.”

David Field Oliver could list more than a hundred worthwhile charities, but three that were closest to his heart were: the UMKC Foundation (specify the gift is to support ‘The Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership’ in honor of David Field Oliver), Children's Mercy Hospital, and Wayside Waifs.

David requested a private burial at Mount Washington Cemetery.

There, his loved ones will celebrate a life well-lived, around his birthday, when the flowers bloom in the spring...