Richard Alan Fields

Richard Alan Fields, 58, walked on February 11, 2021 after a short battle with Pancreatic/Colon/Carcinomatous of the Perimetrium in the loving arms of his wife and daughters at home in Farmington, NM.

Rick was born July 1, 1962 in La Jolla, CA to Bill Fields and Audrie (Mallmann) Fields. Rick was raised in his beloved Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan, especially Escanaba. Rick proudly served 10 years with the 1st Cavalry Division, 8th Infantry Division, Total Army Personnel Command, and Headquarters U.S. Army, and Pentagon. He earned his master's degree in Industrial Archeology at Michigan Technological University. Rick loved studying the copper mining history of the U.P and wrote the book "Range of Opportunity, A Historic Study of the Copper Range Company" in 1997 published by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association/Hancock, MI.

Rick was a proud citizen of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma (Federally recognized tribe). He taught his children his culture, language, and history. He served his tribe as the Executive Director of the Cherokee Heritage Center for two years before moving on to Federal service with the Forest Service in Oregon/Washington and finally with the Bureau of Land Management (Oklahoma and New Mexico offices). He was the Field Manager for the Farmington Field office for the past 5 years. He proudly worked with tribal nations, stakeholders, and local governments to promote the use of public lands as well as conservation/protection of those lands for future generations. Rick also loved working with Native Youth and supported both his daughters advocacy/activism work locally and nationally for native health, environmental protection, salmon restoration in Oregon, sexual assault of Native women, and MMIW.

Rick was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynn Beauchamp; his mother, Audrie Fields; sister, Mary Collins; and all grandparents.

Rick is survived by his wife, Terri; Daughters, Cheyanne Olson (and SIL Austin Bull), Cierra Fields; Father, Bill Fields of Jay, OK; Brothers: Ken Fields (Linda), Tom Fields (Monica). In-Laws: Phillip and Tootsie Henderson, Fort Gibson; Brother-in-law: Dr. Jon Henderson and family. He has many nieces/nephews/cousins who will miss him dearly.

Rick cherished his girls beyond measure. Not only did he teach them their tribal culture/history but he made sure that his girls knew/loved the U.P. as well. He taught them valuable Yooper lessons from Red Green such as: "Remember, you may have to grow old, but you don't have to mature." "Men are like gas, they take up the space available." He also made sure they knew the greatness of pasties, Sayklly's Chocolate is the ONLY chocolate worth eating, Trenary Toast with Thimbleberry Jam is a gift from Heaven, the joy of fried cheese curds, and all things Green Bay Packers. His only regret is that his girls were born trolls and not Michiganders.

Due to Covid-19, a funeral will be held this June and will be announced at a later date to protect our loved ones, especially our elders. An online memorial will be set up for him on Facebook to celebrate his life soon.

Cremation services are being handled by Brewer,Lee, and Larkin Funeral Home in Farmington, NM.