MORGANTOWN
Retired U.S. Army Col. Richard “Archie” Fields, 76, passed away peacefully Friday evening, Dec. 11, 2015, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. He was a resident of Morgantown.
Archie was born in Bedford on April 18, 1939, to his parents, the late Leonard M. and Esther M. (Bivens) Fields.
He graduated from Shawswick High School in Bedford and went on to attend Butler University in Indianapolis.
Archie began his lengthy and accomplished military career with the U.S. Army in May 1957. He received a master’s degree from the U.S. Army Command and General College in Leavenworth, Kansas. Archie retired with the rank of colonel after 34 years of service.
He also worked as a production supervisor for Arvin Industries in Franklin for seven years and for AT&T as a technician for 15 years.
Archie was owned and operated Fields Custom Cutting Lumber business. He was a 45-year member of First Christian Church of Morgantown, where he was very active as an elder, trustee and Sunday school teacher and in building maintenance.
He was a former member of Nineveh Masonic Lodge No. 317 and the Murat Temple and Scottish Rite, both of Indianapolis.
Archie was known for his giving heart and his love for his family.
He is survived by his children, Tim (Annette) Fields of Nashville, Lora (Johnny) Smith of Noblesville, Darren (Candie) Fields of Morgantown and Christopher Fields of Milwaukee; brothers, Tom (Betty) Fields of Scottsburg and Mark Fields of Bedford; grandchildren, Brandon and Madison Fields, Zachary and Nicholas Smith, and Haylee, Hanna, Hunter, Justice, Jadyn and Jace Fields; and a great-granddaughter, Averie Fields.
Archie was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Robert “Bob” Fields and Carolyn Ann Haws.
The Rev. Burt Brock will conduct a funeral service at 7 p.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church of Morgantown, 2717 S. Morgantown Road. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. A graveside service will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Leatherwood Christian Church Cemetery in Bedford, with military rites presented by Bedford American Legion Post No. 33 Honor Guard.
Funeral services have been entrusted to Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown.
Memorial contributions may be sent in honor of Archie to First Christian Church of Morgantown, “Building Fund,” P.O. Box 306, Morgantown, IN 46160.
Expressions of caring and kindness can be made to the Fields family at meredith-clark.com.
