Obituary

Roger Francis Field

1927-2021

Stuart, Florida – Roger F. Field, 93, passed away peacefully in his home on April 4, 2021.  Roger was born in Hyannis, MA, at Cape Cod Hospital on November 30, 1927, to Harvey John Field and Nancy Edith Fish.  He had four siblings: Dorothy (died at 18 months), Donald, Gordon, and Harvey.  He went to elementary school in a 3-room schoolhouse with 90 students and six grades. He was elected Governor of the first Massachusetts Boys State Conference the summer between his junior and senior year.  He graduated in the top 10% of his class from Barnstable High School in 1945. After high school, he went straight into the Army Specialized Training Program for six months in Vermont and attended engineer officer candidate school, where he graduated 3rd in his class.  He was the youngest commissioned officer in the army at that time.

Roger served with the 29 th Engineer Topographic Battalion in the Philippines, mapping the islands. While Roger was a student at the University of Kentucky, his first child, Candyce Jane Field, was born in 1948.  He graduated from UK in 1951 with a BS degree in Civil Engineering and was inducted into the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society. His second child, Theodore Roger Field, was born in 1955.  Roger worked for Exxon for 31 years in NJ, TX, New Orleans, NC, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Canada, Japan, and Coral Gardens, FL.  He retired in 1981 and moved to Stuart, FL.

Roger started working as a management consultant for Chapman School of Seamanship in 1983 and soon after became Vice President of the School.  It was there that Roger found his soul mate and the love of his life (Jennifer Johnson Castle).  They were married on October 20, 1984, and Roger added three more children to his family (Eric Castle, Aleta Castle Smith, and Doria Castle Taylor).  Through the years, he has added 11 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren to his beloved family.

Roger served as a Deacon in the John Knox Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX, in 1962.  He was a member of the American Legion; a founding Director of the Boys & Girls Clubs in Martin County, FL; Past President and Director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (FL); a member of the National Rifle Association; and a life member of the University of Kentucky Alumni Association.  In 1999, he was appointed by Gov. Jeb Bush to the Florida Boating Advisory Council, in which he served until 2004.

Roger had many accomplishments in his lifetime, but he was best known for his love of country and his family.  He was an extraordinary man who worked hard his whole life.  He made an impression on everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.   If you want to get to know him even better, you can read his book, For Love of Country .

Due to COVID, there will be a private family memorial service.  In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute to the Chapman School of Seamanship, 4343 SE St. Lucie Blvd, Stuart, FL 34997. Or call to make your contribution: 772-283-8130 X 10.  When COVID slows down, there will be a celebration of life held in his honor.