COL Robert E. Fields, US Army (Ret.)

On May 23, 2026, Bob Fields, a humble and decent man with a kind heart and a crooked grin, peacefully crossed the final threshold of a long and well-lived life to join his Heavenly Father, leaving behind generations of family, friends, and fellow travelers whose lives were enriched by his presence.

Bob was born in Erie Pennsylvania on October 24th, 1932 to Ernest and Winifred Fields (neé Hicks). His mother, an artist, composer and organist at Grace Episcopal Church, instilled in Bob a lifelong love of music that he would later pass on to his children. In 1945 his family relocated to Weslaco in the Rio Grande Valley after his father, an electrical engineer at General Electric, received a job there. Bob, a good student with a mischievous streak, graduated Weslaco High School in 1950 with honors and went on to attend the University of Texas at Austin, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1954.

Life quickly brought him back home to the Rio Grande Valley where he took a job teaching Mathematics at McAllen High School. Before long, Bob joined the Army, beginning a career of service that would span more than three decades. His enlistment briefly took him away from McAllen, but after returning he was introduced by a friend to his first wife Nancy Polk, whom he married in 1957. The Army suited him well. He believed deeply in duty, patriotism, and quiet dedication, values that guided him throughout his life and shaped the man he became.

Over the years, Bob and Nancy welcomed four sons- Eric, Mark, Brent, and Jeff- who would become his great pride and joy. The Army took Bob and his family around the world, giving them opportunities to experience places many only dream of visiting: Germany, Japan, the East Coast, the West Coast, and even the most exotic of all postings- Kansas. While stationed at Fort Riley, Bob was awarded the Legion of Merit in recognition of his exceptional service from 1965 to 1967, receiving the honor at the unusually young age of 36.

While he achieved considerable professional success-including earning an MBA from Syracuse University, serving as Acting Director of Resource Management for the Army Surgeon General, and retiring as Deputy Chief of Staff for Resource Management at the Headquarters of U.S. Army Health Services Command at Fort Sam Houston- Bob viewed his career more simply. He was proud to have served his country, fulfilled his duties well, and contributed to something larger than himself.

His pride in service was only exceeded by the pride he felt for his children and grandchildren. It even surpassed, if ever so slightly, his pride in never having paid more than ten dollars for a shirt.

Those same values extended far beyond his military career. Over the years, the Fields family experienced its share of hardship and loss. Whether facing the sudden loss of his nephew Stephen or, more recently, the loss of his daughter-in-law Marsha in 2018, Bob remained a steady and reassuring presence, offering strength, perspective, and support to those he loved. Long after he hung up the uniform, his family continued to look to him as someone who could be counted on when life became difficult—a reflection of the Soldier’s Creed and warrior’s heart that guided him throughout his life.

Following the end of his marriage to Nancy, Bob continued his Army career before meeting Gisela in November of 1974. Following a whirlwind courtship, they married in February of 1975. A fifth son, Jeremy, followed in 1977. At that point he realized that, despite his wishes for a daughter, he would simply have to settle for the sons God gave him. From that point forward, Bob and Gisela knew San Antonio would always be home and made sure the Army eventually brought them back, settling there permanently following Bob’s retirement in 1987.

After retiring, Bob devoted himself to many of the passions that would define the next four decades of his life. A man of deep faith, Bob remained actively involved in the Episcopal Church and became a familiar presence at the Church of the Resurrection, serving as a vestry member, lay minister, lector, eucharistic assistant, and choir member.

Music, first introduced by his mother during childhood, remained a constant companion throughout his life. In 1995 he joined the San Antonio Mastersingers, beginning a 25-year involvement that would take him all the way to Carnegie Hall. Whether singing in church or on the concert stage, music brought him joy and allowed him to share his gift with others. During these years he also briefly returned to teaching at St. Philip’s College, helping students strengthen the math skills needed to pursue their educational goals and finding another meaningful way to give back to his community.

Bob and Gisela spent many happy years traveling with family and friends, and often just the two of them, exploring the world from Argentina to Alaska. Jeremy’s move to Germany provided them with the perfect excuse for frequent trips across the Atlantic, though the family knew they would have found an excuse to travel there anyway.

Perhaps no role brought Bob greater joy than being “Opa.” Warm, gentle, witty, and mischievous, he delighted in spending time with his grandchildren. He read bedtime stories, played countless card games, celebrated milestones, and created everyday memories that became family treasures. Whether watching sunrises with family on vacation, entertaining grandchildren with stories, or assuring opponents around the card table that he was “easy—you can beat me anytime,” Bob’s warmth, humor, and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

His grandchildren also inherited at least one unmistakable family trait: the legendary Fields morning hair, a wild cotton-candy creation seemingly immune to gravity, combs, or common sense, which continues to appear with remarkable consistency in subsequent generations.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents, his dear brother Jack and his beloved wife Gisela. He is survived by his sister Marie Evans and his sons: Robert Eric Fields; Mark Alan Fields; Brent Edward Fields and his wife Dana Warren-Fields; Jeffrey Scott Fields; Jeremy Kent Fields and his wife Heather Weiler- all of whom will now have to wait a little while longer to finally find out exactly what happened to Uncle Jack’s bicycle all those many years ago.

Bob is also survived by his grandchildren; Matthew Eric Fields, Tyler Robert Fields, Jennifer Nicole Fields, Joshua Levi Fields, Jeremy Fisher, Nikki Rosinbaum, Lauren Avery Warren-Fields, Alexandra Elizabeth Hatcher, Steven Russell Fields, Christopher Scott Fields, and Michael Adam Fields plus many great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation at Porter Loring Mortuary (1101 McCullough Ave, San Antonio, TX) on June 8th, 2026 from 5-7pm. Funeral Services will be held on June 9th, 2026 at 9am at the Church of the Resurrection (5909 Walzem Road) directly followed by the burial service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases (https://biggsinstitute.org).