Michael Field

Michael Ward Field April 24, 1941 - October 6, 2010 Michael Ward Field was an artist and attorney, husband, father, and grandfather, and an officer and a gentleman. Born to Lucille and Frank Field in Washington, D.C., he attended Woodward Preparatory, Georgetown University earning a BA in English and Duke University earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.). He was a First Lieutenant in the Army in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He served as a Captain in JAG in Vietnam, a judge in the green zone of Long Binh, and in the combat zone of Phuoc Vinh where he made life long friends. On his return to the United States, he was stationed at Oakland Army Base where he continued to practice law and act as a Judge at the Presidio. He joined the U.S. Attorney's Office working on criminal cases from 1970 to 1975. In 1972 he married Lauren Graber Jones. He settled into private practice at Bronson, Bronson, and McKinnon, where he became a partner. Several years later he joined Cyril and Crowley as a partner and was active as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. During those years he dedicated himself to the law, to art, and to his family. He joined the Oakland Zoo's Board of Directors providing pro bono legal work, eventually becoming President of the Board. An avid golfer, he was a member of the San Francisco Olympic Club, and taught his children to play. After an initial diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, he retired from law in 1998, and spent his days drawing, painting, and sculpting in his home studio and at Rob Anderson's Atelier School of Classical Realism. His art was featured in shows, and is owned by friends throughout the Bay Area and beyond. He passed quietly at home after a long illness from Parkinson's-related PSP. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, his brother Larry, his two children Katherine and Rob, his granddaughter Kara Noelle, his two cats, and his many beautiful works of art. Contributions in memory of Michael can be made to CurePSP, Executive Plaza III, 11350 McCormick Road, Suite 906, Hunt Valley, MD 21031 or The Parkinson's Institute, PSP Research, 675 Almanor Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94085. A private memorial will be held.