Richard Fields

Richard Henry Fields finished his work on earth July 29, 2023, at the age of 71. He was born December 12, 1951, to John Vernon and Hazel Irene (Anderson) Fields.

His youth was spent accompanying his parents to various ranches as his dad worked at the ranch foreman and his mom the ranch cook, always returning home to Northwest Kansas. He graduated from Golden Plains High School in 1970.

Following High School, he attended Kansas State University where he majored in agriculture and education while playing football until a knee injury ended his career. He returned home where he met his future wife, Dixie Marie Black, through his best friend, Phil Wurm. They married December 14, 1973. To this union were born 4 children.

Rick was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved working with the public in auto part sales first at S&W and then at Stan’s Auto Parts. He never met a stranger and was always willing to give anyone a hard time. He was a voracious reader. He preferred books about American history, especially World War I. However, he would read anything with words be it books, magazines, encyclopedias, or parts manuals.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents Vernon and Irene Fields, infant sister Judith and brother Ray.

He is survived by his wife, Dixie; daughters Tina (Tom) Benson and Deanna (Matt) Schmidtberger; sons Erik and David Fields; grandchildren Chance (JB) Benson, Tell (Jeri) Benson, Mo Jallow, Jaeger Thompson, Jake (Genna) Thompson, Mishaela (Harry) Benson, Jonah (Jaymee) Thompson, Job (Molly) Thompson, Gabby Miller, Ricky Miller, Jayde Hastings, Ryker Schmidtberger, Ian Kramer, Seth Carlson, Elisa Fields and Thatcher Fields; 12 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be 5-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 1, 2023, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, KS. The funeral service is at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at Baalmann Mortuary, Colby, with burial in Beulah Cemetery and luncheon to follow at The Gathering Place. Memorial contributions may be made to the Finney County Humane Society and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or to leave condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com