Chris Field

Chris Field, 82, of Polson died July 29 following a brief illness. Born in 1931 in Mexico to Ross and Nancy Dorn Field, Chris grew up in Argentina where his father managed a mine in the Andes. After the war, his family moved back to their California pear orchards while Chris was a teen. He earned a Bachelors at Stanford and a Masters and PhD at UCLA. Chris' career as a geography professor at the University of Montana was energized by extensive travels. He specialized in ancient irrigation systems, Latin American cultural geography, biogeography and planning. He served as a treasured mentor for countless students who went on to environmental and academic careers. Chris loved traveling, sailing, skiing, photography, listening to music, and dining with friends and spanish wine. He devoured books about science and culture. He had a strong appreciation of beauty in nature, art and craftsmanship of all kinds. Passionate about environmental protection, he was one of the original group of conservationists that evolved into the Five Valleys Land Trust. Chris is survived by his brother, Eric Field of British Columbia (Candace Cole) and four children: Lissa Field of Wisconsin; Dana Field of Oregon; Halden Field of Colorado (Julia Gordon); Maile Field of Virginia (Lars Crail) and four grandchildren: Max Ensley-Field, Mira Ensley-Field, Chance Crail and Seth Crail. He is also survived by his former wife, Faye Field of Maui, Hawaii (Charles Treuhold) and very dear friend, Mae Nan Ellingson of Missoula. Family and friends are invited to a memorial service at 2 p.m. August 22 at Missoula Children's Theater. Memories may be shared online via Garden City Funeral Home: www.missoulafuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Five Valleys Land Trust: www.fvlt.org.