Robert Field

1935 - 2025

Robert Field
12/17/1935 - 06/19/2025
Robert Field, passed away peacefully, with his family at his side, at the age of 89, due to brain cancer. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif., Robert dedicated his life to the practice of law, his community, and his family.
A 1957 graduate of UC Berkeley with a BA in English Literature, Robert then graduated from University of California Hastings College of Law in 1960 with a JD with honors and Order of the Coif. He was in active duty in the US Army in 1960-61, and reserve duty from 1961-1967 as captain in a Civil Affairs branch. After law school, he worked as the Assistant Counsel for the Regents of the University of California, as a legal advisor to the governing boards of the nine campus University of California system. His 50-year career in private law practice focused on property, construction law, and litigation first for for Stark, Steward, Simon & Sparrowe in Oakland, and later at his own firm Field, Baker, and Richardson in Walnut Creek. While in private practice, Robert was an instructor of construction law at the University of California Extension and San Francisco State University, worked as an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association, and served in leadership positions for local civic and not-for-profit organizations.
A significant career and personal highpoint, was the sabbatical year Robert spent living in Paris with his family in 1978-1979, where he was an visiting professor of business law at the American College in Paris, and a lecturer at Ecole Nationale d'Administration and Ecole Nationale Superieure d'Arts et Metiers. This pivotal time for the family facilitated incredible and life-changing growth, perspective, and educational opportunities.
Robert and Susan Hurff met as students at UC Berkeley and were married in San Francisco in 1959. After settling into their home in Montclair, Robert and Susan enjoyed spending time traveling, attending the symphony and opera, and enjoying family and friends at their house in Rubicon at Lake Tahoe. He delighted in the beauty of the Sierra Nevada while hiking, skiing, boating, and enjoying wildflowers. Robert especially found meaning in family connections with his Dutch relatives in Holland. Robert also took great pleasure in appreciating wine, and gourmet French food. Robert and Susan have been active parishioners at St John's Episcopal Church in Montclair for over 60 years where they found spiritual solace and wonderful friends.
Robert is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Susan; his two devoted daughters, Jennifer Lang (Derryl) of Dorset, Vt., and Erin Kemp (Bruce) of Corte Madera, Calif.; his four grandchildren, Alden, Dutch, Charlotte, and Elsa; and his brother, Thomas (Ruth) of Newport Beach, Calif. A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church, in Oakland.