Robert Wilson "Bob" FIELDS Esq

FIELDS, Robert Wilson, Esq. "Bob"

passed away January 9, 2018. Born July 9, 1937 in Deland, Florida, his family moved to Tampa the same year. He was preceded in death by his parents, D. Wallace Fields, Esq. and Martha Ann Fields and his brother, Rodney S. Fields, D.D.S., (Carole). He is survived by his wife, Cynthia "Cindy" Fields and brother, Dan W. Fields Jr., (Joan). Also, surviving him are his children, Robert W. Fields Jr., Stanley S. Fields, Anne Marie Biggane, and Kimberly Fields-Miller (Ian). His eight grandchildren are Robert W. "Trey" Fields III, John A. Fields, Rex and Reina Fields, Christianne and Ryan Biggane, and Michael and Amelia Miller. Bob attended local schools in Tampa, having graduated from Plant High School in 1955. As a basketball player at Plant he was All-City, All-West Coast of Florida and honorable mention All-State. As a swimmer he was All-City for three years having been undefeated in city competition. He qualified and competed in Florida's state swimming finals for three years. He attended University of Florida where he played basketball and became a brother in the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity. Upon transferring to Stetson University he graduated in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration. Thereafter, he graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1962 where he was an officer of the student body. Bob was a fourth generation attorney in his family. He practiced law for over fifty years specializing in Marital and Family Law. He was president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Florida Chapter in 1991 and served on its governing board for years prior to and after his presidency. He was bestowed a Life Time Achievement Award in 2007 by this organization. He became board certified in Marital and Family Law by The Florida Bar in 1985 when this specialty was first created. Bob was listed in the "Best Lawyers in America" by Naifeh and Smith from 1986 through 2013 as well as being named a preeminent lawyer for over thirty five years by the Martindale Hubbell publication, which rated him as an "AV" attorney. In 1995 a former partner of his described him in The Tampa Tribune as "Bob is the quintessential gentlemen lawyer. He even has the elegant silver hair. He is what he looks like; smart in an elegant way, calm and reassuring. He always appears to be the most reasonable person in the courtroom". Bob co-chaired Hillsborough County Bar Association's two committees which created the Family Law Section of the Association and the Family Law Division of the 13th Judicial Circuit of Hillsborough County, which was the first successful division in Florida. Bob highly respected his former partners, Joe Garcia, Paul Danahy, and Lesley Friedsam. He enjoyed playing golf at Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club where he was a member for over sixty years having served on its board of directors. He was a former member of Ye Mystic Krew of Gasparillia, Merrymakers Club of Tampa, Davis Islands Yacht Club, and The Tampa Club. He was proud of being a descendant of a Native American (Cherokee Nation). Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 16, at 3 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Tampa (downtown), where Bob was a member, located at 412 E. Zack St. Tampa, FL, 33602. Pastors Fitz and Kathy Conner will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Robert W. Fields Scholarship Fund, which will be awarded to a Plant High School student pursuing a law degree. Please visit his online guestbook at: www.blountcurrymacdill.com